Chapel of Saint Iria, Tomar, Portugal

The convent and chapel of Saint Iria, dedicated to the patron saint of Tomar, were built in 1467 by order of D. Mécia Queiroz, a widow who wanted to retreat from society with her two daughters. The convent was separated from the chapel with the extinction of religious orders in Portugal, in 1834.
Iria was a girl born in Tomar to a rich family, in the 7th century. She was sent to a convent to be tutored and would only come out to attend Mass or to pray. During one of her outings, a young nobleman named Britald saw her and fell desperately in love with her. He eventually proposed to court her but Iria made it very clear she would never marry as she wanted to become a nun. Meanwhile, her tutor made improper advances at her and when she refused him, he spread the rumour that she was pregnant and gave her a drink to inflate her belly. Learning of his beloved's supposed infidelity Britald hired a mercenary to kill her. A long time after, her body was found uncorrupted down the river stream, in Santarém, in a place her abbot uncle said was revealed to him in a dream, by Christ. The monks gave her a proper burial and spread her cultus. Thus Saint Iria is the patron saint of Tomar and the namesake of Santarem.

Opening hours: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. to Apr.)
Entrance free

Back to Tomar



Local: R. Marquês de Pombal 36, 2300 Tomar, Portugal

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