DAY TEN THURSDAY 3rd APRIL: A lovely Rest Day! A good way to start week two!
DAY ELEVEN. FRIDAY 4th APRIL. Leave Casa das Oliverias: I won’t say i was sorry to go, as this very old building was ‘home’ to some strange spirits who were stuck in purgatory here and had been for a very long time, not of our time line for sure and really not at all happy we were there. A pretty place to be sure but time to go!
Capela das Alma de Santa Catarina. (Chapel of Souls) Porto. Portugal: Considered the oldest historic centre in Europe, current construction from 1793 CE. If ever there were a Demonic place this would be it. The chapel has it’s origins in an old wooden chapel built in honor of Saint Catherine. The construction of the building that exists today dates back to the end of the 18th century when the Brotherhood of Souls and Wounds of Saint Francis moved from the Monastery of Santa Clara to the Chapel of Santa Catarina. The 15,947 tiles that now cover the building, represent the life story of Saint Francis and Saint Catherine who are both venerated in the chapel. The chapel is very interesting inside with a good ‘dark’ feel to it, even the artworks exuded a certain ‘feel’. The outside of the chapel is covered in amazing white and blue tiles, stunning as an artwork in themselves.
Porto itself was lovely, very vibrant and busy, a tad` touristy for our liking, but one can see why people flock here as the chapel is extremely photogenic. We had a stroll and lunch here and bought some lovely items to take home. The weather was very wet and showery which did make for some lovely photography.
Capela do Senhor da Pedra. Catholic Church. Gaia. Portugal. (Church of the Lord of the Stone) Situated on Senhor da Pedra beach in Gulpihares. An interesting mix of Witchcraft with ancient Christianity, it was built on a rock in the sea. The foundations were laid 1763. The area screams energy, energy, energy! A fresh breezy day on these beautiful shores really lifted our souls, what a stunning place for a chapel to be, very liminal spanning both sea and land with energy flowing.
It is believed that the origin of the cult in the Capela do Senhor da Pedra may have its origins in an ancient pagan cult, of a naturalists nature of pre-Christian peoples, whose deities were venerated in the midst of nature, having later been converted to Christianity. The place where this chapel of The Lord of the Stone is standing is certainly the oldest place of worship n the parish, before Christ was celebrated, so would be a pagan altar. The church is hexagonal in shape and a fairly new stone marks the place of a much, much older site of interest to Craft.All in all a very ‘energetic’ site. It looked straight out of a fairy tale.
Stay five nights at Rua D Maria Fernanda, Moto Cardoso. Ferreira do Zezare. Portugal: Separate chalets each for a unique and relaxing experience at this friendly little well-kept holiday complex.
DAY TWELVE: SATURDAY 5th APRIL: Convento do Cristo. Convent of Christ. Tomar. Portugal: Once owned by the Knights Templar and built inside the walls of the castle, it took five centuries to build. It is said that within one of the walls lies the tablet of destiny. It was huge and very impressive and i could not help naming it ‘Templar Headquarters’. The was such a lot to see here, that one could easily spend a whole day just wandering around.
There is a vast history attached to this site which one can read about here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convent_of_Christ_(Tomar)
As we know the Templars were famously persecuted and murdered by orders of the pope and the catholic church, and sadly much Templar blood spilled at this site, so how ironic it is that the town here (in the here and now) and indeed to, much of the area around is now adorned with Templar memorabilia and gifts. This really does not say much for the human race at all.
So originally it was a 12th century Templar stronghold where Templars lived and carried out their duties. History tells that the order was dissolved in the 14th century and the building is now a catholic convent, but i think one has to read between the lines here. In it’s day it would have been an amazing place, still an amazing place but now a museum and world heritage site and the architecture is truly mind blowing.
The stunning Templar Castle & adjoining round church in Tomor Portugal
<as always click on photo to enlarge>
Castelo de Tomar. Tomar. Portugal: The very place where the Templars lived and waked. See above for details, the Convento do Cristo was built inside these very castle walls.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomar_Castle
Out and about in Tomar, Portugal.
A town adorned with Templar gifts and trinkets yet with a dark hidden history sadly splattered with much Templar blood…
Igreja de Sao Joao Baptista. Church of John the Baptist. Tomar. Portugal: Our last stop of this very interesting day. The church stands which was refurbished in 2022 stands in a square of black and white paving. The previous chapel was founded by the Templars in the 12th century. A true site of past Templar activity, with a touch of magic for good measure. A very profound interaction with a watcher happened here, as ‘he’ appeared from nowhere with knowledge of what we were doing and what we needed to see, as he went ahead and quickly exposed some ‘hidden’ artworks for us – not on general display to the public and for our eyes only – then, as they have a habit of doing, he just as quickly vanished into thin air.
The area around the church is the centre of the Festa dos Tabuleiros, a pagan festival held in July every four years, in which girls, the colour of their parish, carry trays with bread and flowers on their heads. The festival has similar roots to the Festas do Espirito Santo in the Azores.
Read more here: https://templarportugal.com/en/x/templar-legacy/mother-church-of-sao-joao-batista/
Always time for a nice coffee to round off the experience!
DAY THIRTEEN: SUNDAY 6TH APRIL: Torre de Dornes. Castle and Tower. Dornes. Portugal: This was tuning out to be a very wet, rainy day and while the scenery shone in the rain, it was very and slippery underfoot on those very sloppy and inclined cobbled mountain roads! I must admit to struggling with my balance and sadly not being able to make it everywhere today. Built on an ancient Roman tower from 72 BCE, this feat of craftmanship, where the Templars had a stronghold so to defend the area from Muslim attackers. I must admit i did wonder at one point where we were going, as this small mountain road did wind its way seemingly forever upwards, but never the less very worth while once there. A popular place as many tourists and pilgrim had made the effort, there was a service in place when we arrived so i expect many were there for that.
Views around outside the Tower, up a steep and slippery mountain road.
The Templar Tower of Dornes was built on a Roman fortress or tower. The work was commissioned by a D. Gualdim Pais. Master of the Order of Templar, in the second half of the twelfth century. The structure was then re-modelled, re-inforced and intergrated into the defense system along the River Tagus. It has an unusual plan, as it has five sides. The entrance portal faces north and has a rectangular frame. Inside the tower there are still Templar funerary stelae, and the place has a brick vault with and inscription. In the sixteenth century, after having lost its defensive function, the Torre de Dornes transformed into a bell tower.
Capela de Nossa. Senhora do Carmo. Chapel of our Lady of Mount Carmel. Beco. Portugal: A quaint chapel that holds information in relation to the creation of Earth itself. Sadly now closed and it did look quite abandoned, yet a sweet perfumed aroma of roses filled the air, although no roses nearby… It is located in the place of Murfacem, Trafana, Portugal. It is said to be located in a palatial house, a former Carmelite convent, now a residential home and the owners open the doors to the public on a Sunday. Sadly this information is way out of date and this lovely building is very much sinking into disuse, but still a lovely building.
On a lonely and wet rural byway…
Ingreja Matrix de Santo Aleixo. Catholic Church. Beco. Portugal. Founded in 1538 CE, this church underwent renovations in the 17th and 18th centuries. Located in Santo da Restauracao, in the district of Beja, Portugal. It is classified as a national monument and it is said to have superb views of the countryside across all the different rooftops and weather vanes, and i could not argue with that. It stands high on a hilltop dominating the surrounding landscape. The current temple is the second of the same name built on the site, the first building dating from 1626 was razed in the first years after the Restoration War.
Read more here: https://templarportugal.com/en/x/other-attractions/parish-church-of-beco/
DAY FOURTEEN. MONDAY 7th APRIL: Anta da Vila de Nisa. Nisa. Portugal: A truly amazing place that has stood the test of time. Being 6500 years old with an even older site below it, this ‘Sacrificial’ place is one of a few still in existence. A special place for me, and of a journey via ‘distorted’ time, to a place of connection and a deep profound acknowledgement of a beautiful life, an existence well lived, with deep and beautiful goodbyes between those whom met here on this day, in this time, this place, surrounded by pure love…
The area itself is covered with what look like ancient stones, but are what remains of a vast ancient civilization covering many miles of countryside. Not just echoes of a past once lived but markers in time for all to see. It would have been an amazing civilization one upon a time.
Menhir do Patalou. Alpalhao. Portugal: Ancient stone nestled in the ‘heart of the land’. It is said to bring inner dreams to those whom touch it. It was a challenging journey to find in the heat, the countryside was pretty yet vast and the stone was well hidden away. As it was a very long way off the beaten track and the ground was boggy in places, I walked on my own for a long time in unknown territory to get here, with no smart phone or google maps – just my own instincts, i knew i would find it… The menhir dates back to the 5th millennium BCE and is believed to be the second oldest example of a menhir to be identified in Western Europe. It is on a gentle slope, framed by two small hills and some trees, and one cannot see it until real close up. Read more about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menhir_of_Patalou
Anta de Sao Gens. Tolosa. Portugal: The second visit here, now in ‘our time’, to this very special place of sacrifice, now a sacred monument, the energy had changed, still beautiful but now of our current time line… Read more about it here: https://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=23684
DAY FIFTEEN. TUESDAY 8th APRIL Sanctuary or our Lady of Nazereth Nazare. Portugal: A really lovely area, very vibrant with amazing sea views. The so called ‘miracle’ vision of the Virgin Mary is said to have happened here, or was it indeed a UFO sighting and encounter? Whichever you believe, the 12th century Portuguese knight Dom Fuas Roupinho, detailed the encounter. We went on the ‘Big Wheel’ and enjoyed some amazing views from the very top, the main town square is busy and vibrant with some lovely shops and eateries.
The ‘Big Wheel’ in the town square with views from the top and a little bit of shopping!
The Sanctuary itself is beautiful both inside and out but maybe a tad over whelmimg with all the gold glitziness of large religious buildings, but hidden amongst all the finery were to be found some very symbolic Craft symbology. The sanctuary itself is a Marian shrine that memorizes the ancient ‘miracle’ mentioned above which was said to have taken place upon a hilltop overlooking Nazare. According to the legend the sheriff of Porto de Mos (maybe a Templar) was chasing on horseback, a deer up a hilltop on a misty September morning in 1182 (it was said that it was the devil disguised as a deer). When the deer jumped over the edge of the hilltop into the void, his fiery horse was about to follow, but the knight invoked the intervention of the Madonna, who made the horse turn away through supernatural effort and saved the knights life. (see photo below) Subsequently, a chapel ‘A Ermida du Memoria’ was built very near this spot, over a grotto where stood a small statue of a Black Madonna, brought from Nazareth. Near the chapel one can see the horseshoe imprint on the rock.
Read more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanctuary_of_Our_Lady_of_Nazar%C3%A9
Mira de Alco. Underground caves:. High up in the mountains of Mira de Aire, in the Natural Park of Serra de Aire e Candeeiros, Portugal are these amazing cave networks of which the area is famous for. One goes down into the caves via a vast network of many steps that twist and turn, all very wet an slippery and i did struggle but everyone else seemed to be just fine; it was just me and my vertigo struggling on the wet slippery steps! It was well worth it all though, and in the end i was so glad i did it and what an absolute wonder it was! We were with a guide who told us that the whole area had so many more underground caves yet to be opened to the public and yet to be explored, so the excavations are all ongoing. Thankfully we had a welcome lift up to the surface again! I can’t remember how far underground we were but it was a long, long way!
Photos never do these type of photos justice as it is hard to convey the scale…
Back to our apartments for one last and lovely night ready for a long drive in the morning!
DAY SIXTEEN: WEDNESDAY 9th APRIL: Leave the lovely Quinta da Cerejeira.
Chapel of Bones. (Evora) Capela dos Ossos. Evora. Portugal: An excellent chapel and one of the best known monuments in Evora, decorated with human skulls and bones of the Monks of the past, in the 13th Century. It was considered a Royal Chapel, being in favour with the King. Sadly though the Chapel of Bones itself was shut, whether always shut these days or just at certain times, i do not know but we did make it into the main church next door. I won’t post too much about it here, seeings as we never saw it in person, but more info is here and an interesting poem on mortality to note:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capela_dos_Ossos
A relaxing day enjoying lovely views from all around and inside the Church of St Francis, with coffee and a stroll around the town. The weather was very hot and we got a real sense of being in Portugal.
Today we had a very, very long journey driving right down to the most southerly point of Portugal, yet we experienced some very scenic views where the landscape seemed to go on for ever and ever. I have never seen such vastness or emptiness. But it was so hot we experienced a few fires along our route making driving challenging in places. It makes me wonder why my home land of England has become so crowded when there is such vastness and emptiness elsewhere on the planet. Obviously the UK must be too good to be true with it’s pavements paved with all that gold!
Stay at Manta. Rota, Portugal: On the southern coast which sounds really lovely, but just here for a good rest and to catch up on some sleep, and to be honest this part of Portugal seemed a bit like ‘Clacton on Sea’! The accommodation was lovely though, clean and fresh and spacious.
This second week had been an amazingly busy week with lots of travel. We visited some stunning sites and beautiful places and i took lots of amazing photos. What ever one thinks of religion, it has provided us with some incredible buildings and glimpses into our past.
“The Templar and Craft teachings on life changes everything that one thought they knew and with it ones perception on life and this so called ‘reality’ we are all trapped in. Nothing is ever what it seems and if the Quests have taught me anything it is this very fact. On this and our previous quest to the area, we have popped in and out of the ‘el Camino trail’ but the meanings of the trail go much deeper than commonly known (or told of ) and from way, way back in time beyond this modern day pilgrim trail. The truth and the sacred reason for the trail lies hidden withing the landscape, within the hills, the mountains, and the valleys and within the Craft teachings of the Templars themselves and possibly why they were in the area and why so much of the area is Templar related. The truth is in the landscape of time itself; from beyond time in fact and from beyond modern-day human reason and understanding. Just one important reason why it is such a joy to be on this path – it teaches what really is, rather that what we are told it is…”
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‘Keeper of Scrolls’ ‘Grail Guardian’
Updated August 2025
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It is with Knightly honour that we are empowered to have great knowledge from within & without. With such knowledge comes power, a power that is naturally produced & requires no additional influences to achieve great things. Power is not about the control of others, it is about harnessing the inner strength & full understanding of one's purpose in this particular existence, such truth that can only be realised at a knightly level
