Igreja São João Batista (Church of Saint John the Baptist), Tomar

Museu dos Fosforos

The Igreja São João Batista (Church of Saint John the Baptist) in Tomar, central Portugal, was constructed at the same time as as the Castelo Templário in the 12th century.

However it was later enlarged by Prince Henry the Navigator. The gothic facade of Igreja São João Batista is thanks to Dom Manuel (King Manuel).

The stone clock tower is robust, almost medieval in it's design with bas-reliefs carved into the base.

The 16th century clock face was brought from the Castelo Templário, highly decorative with skull and cross bones. This symbolic design is followed through in the interior where the holy water basin is decorated with sun and moon.

The pulpit is carved in stone and there are many magnificent paintings from the 16th century on show, notably Ultimo Ceia by Gregorio Lopes. The church was classified as a national monument in 1910.