The Church of Santa Maria do Olival was build in the second half of the 12th century and was used as the burial place of the knights Templar until their demise and than as the burial church of the knights of the order of Christ, who succeeded the knight Templar in Portugal after the order’s suppression.
When the Jesuit order became most dominant the templar knights where removed from their tombs, all but one remains to this day is the church.
The site is very interesting because of it’s age and history. The graves and inscriptions remain and a prominent view of the castle dominate it’s link to the knights. The church is still being used and while viewing the history and mystery, don’t forget that other people there may not appreciate loud contemplation or flashing camera’s!
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