The Convento de Cristo (Convent of Christ) in Tomar, a World Heritage Site, plans to reopen the Santa Bárbara, D. João III and Lavagem cloisters to the public now that the main rehabilitation works are complete. The final site meeting took place on 31 August, according to the monument’s director, Andreia Galvão.
The project initially received €5.2 million from the Recovery and Resilience Plan, earmarked for the cloisters, the Paço Henriquino, the Alcáçova and Castle, and the garden. The work on the Santa Bárbara and D. João III cloisters alone exceeded €1.7 million.
The president of Património Cultural, João Soalheiro, explained that the original plan was adjusted during the works to protect heritage features discovered along the way. A planned lift, for example, was moved because it coincided with a 15th-century part of the building.
Future plans include turning the ground floor of the Lavagem cloister into a museum space in early 2027, and new scenic and artistic lighting for the Chapter Window, the Charola and the Manueline Nave.
