Prince Henry the Navigator and knights of Templar

Henry the navigator
 inside the Maritime Museum

Henry the navigator is the best known figure in the Belem district.
Strolling along the river,
you can see him at the top of  the Monument to the Discoveries(Monumento aos Descobrimentos).

Never embarking on any voyages of discovery, he wasn't even a navigator.
Still under his patronage, the caravel, a ship with outstanding qualities, was further studied and reshaped to withstand strong tides, enabling longer voyages.

caravel in the Maritime Museum

Among the little known facts is that Henry the Navigator was the head of the Order of Christ, founded in 1318 as the successor of the Knights Templar.

Knights of Templar

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18457521

Templar, started as a Catholic military order,
was later persecuted by French King Philip.
It was dissolved by Pope Clement V in 1312,
with many arrested and charged with offences
such as fraud, corruption, worshiping idols, encouraging homosexuality and so on.

Knights of Templar can be easily seen all over Lisbon.

Most of the charges against them are believed to be false. 

They were victims of the politics.
The pope had no choice but to disband the order
due to King Philip's military threat.

In Portugal, King Denis continued the legacy of Templars under the name of the Order of Christ.
Henry the navigator assumed the role of the order's Grand Master in 1417.
During the reign of Manuel I, who was also the Grand Master,
Vasco da Gama was sent to discover the African cape to India.

Vasco da Gama was also a member of the Order of Christ.

Nowadays the Portuguese President is the Grand Master.
The Chancellors and the Councils of Orders help the President to carry out his work as the Master.

Want to learn more about Templars?
Why not join a history tour?