|
following Castilho's death in 1553. The
Ermida de Nossa Senhora de
Conceição (Hermitage of Our Lady of
Conception) never served it's original
purpose though due to the unexpected death of King Joao III in
1557 without testimony to his desire to be interred in
the
Ermida de Nossa Senhora de
Conceição. The building though
was only completed in 1573 and as such King Joao III was
interred in the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in
Lisbon.
The interior of the
Ermida de Nossa Senhora de
Conceição consists of three naves,
defined by three 'Corinthian' colonnades with arched
ceilings. The vault is decorated with floral and
geometric motives with spaces. The open arches within
the vault were to house the tombs of King Joao III and
his wife, Queen Catarina.
The
Ermida de Nossa Senhora de
Conceição has a commanding view over
Tomar
on an elevation below the
Convento de Cristo
and the Castelo Templário. Today the
Ermida de Nossa Senhora de
Conceição stands proudly over
Tomar.
Visitors can marvel at the pure lines of architecture
from the exterior and the views over the town, though to
date entry is prohibited aside from invited guests. |
