Category: Civil Architecture > Tower
District: Santarém > Ferreira do Zêzere > Dornes
The Tower of Dornes is located in the village of Dornes, in the municipality of Ferreira do Zêzere, district of Santarém.
Classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1943, this tower dates back to ancient times and is involved in several stories that cross eras.
, Built on an ancient Roman structure, associated with the Roman general Sertorius.
, During the Reconquista period, it was donated to the Templars and served as a strategic defense point on the Tagus line.
, The tower has a rare pentagonal plan, uncommon in medieval military architecture.
, Made of schist with limestone quoins, it includes details such as a door repurposed from a Visigothic funerary stele, decorated with symbols of arms.
, Preserves Templar funerary steles, which recall the presence and role of these knights.
, It has a brick vault and ancient inscriptions, possibly from the 16th century.
Despite its military origin, the tower became a bell tower in the 16th century, a function it maintains to this day.
, Located next to the tower, the church, with roots in the 12th century, was remodeled by D. Gonçalo de Sousa in the 15th century.
, The interior is notable for its old tiles, a pipe organ in excellent condition, and a collection of sacred art, with emphasis on an image of Saint Catherine.
, The main altar of the church is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, a central figure in local religiosity since the Middle Ages.
, It is the target of annual pilgrimages, especially on August 15th, keeping alive a secular tradition.
, The Renaissance pulpit, dated 1544, features beautiful rosettes and the Cross of Christ, being one of the most emblematic elements of the church.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torre_de_Dornes
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.77143850083182,-8.26936753371521
Coordinates DMS: 39°46'17.2"N 08°16'9.7"W
Weather Dornes
On-duty Pharmacy Dornes
