Levada Cultural Complex

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Tourist Attraction

District: Santarém > Tomar > Tomar > Colégio Nuno Álvares

Location

The Levada Cultural Complex is located in the city of Tomar, within the Nuno Álvares College Urbanization area. Its location is particularly evocative, situated at the entrance to the town, by the banks of the Nabão River. This riverside setting gives the complex a serene atmosphere and a natural connection to the surrounding urban landscape.

Historical and Industrial Heritage

This space has its roots in Tomar's ancient milling activity, where a set of infrastructures known as the King's Mills and Oil Presses once stood. The construction of these facilities was driven by the Knights Templar, as early as the 12th and 13th centuries, with references to their existence in the town's first charter since the 12th century. The complex represents a significant testimony to the council's industrial heritage, and its history is deeply intertwined with Tomar's identity. A visit to this site allows a glimpse into the region's technical, productive, and economic evolution over time, revealing aspects of the past through its equipment and its very architecture.

A Vibrant Cultural Center

Over time, the Levada Complex reinvented itself, transforming into a dynamic cultural hub. Currently, it houses the museum nuclei of the Power Station and Thomarenses Foundry, the Fábrica das Artes project, and the Tomar Templar Interpretive Center, which explores over three thousand years of local history. The space offers a diversity of cultural experiences, from contemporary art exhibitions in dedicated galleries, to the appreciation of traditional craftsmanship in the Aldeia dos Ofícios (Village of Crafts), where it is possible to observe artisans at work. A versatile auditorium regularly hosts theatre performances, concerts, and various lectures, making the complex a meeting point for diverse artistic expressions and cultural events.

Archaeological Remains

For those interested in Tomar's more remote history, the Levada Cultural Complex holds an archaeological site. This site allows for a fascinating journey through time, with remains spanning a vast period, from the Roman era, through the Middle Ages, up to the 19th century. The archaeological findings present there offer valuable insight into how daily life unfolded in Tomar over many centuries, unravelling layers of the locality's history.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt