About 150 km from Lisbon, surrounded by the waters of the Castelo de Bode reservoir, lies a village known as the Enchanted Peninsula or the Mythical Land of the Templars. It belongs to the municipality of Ferreira do Zêzere and is home to a Templar tower—the only one of its kind in Portugal—as well as a legend about a “time portal” at the tip of the peninsula. It is called Dornes.
A tower unique in the country
The most recognizable symbol of Dornes is its pentagonal Templar tower, built in the 12th century by order of Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Order of the Temple—the same order that commissioned the construction of Tomar Castle. The tower was part of the defensive line along the Zêzere River, which also included Almourol Castle, and is the only known pentagonal tower in Portugal.
The Legend of Our Lady of Tears
Tradition holds that the very origin of the village is linked to a legend: a knight, hearing lamentations near the mountains, is said to have found an image of Our Lady holding her dead son in her arms, as directed by Queen Saint Isabel. The queen ordered a chapel to be built on the site in 1285, around which the settlement grew; it is believed to have been initially called “Vila das Dores,” a name that, over time, was corrupted to Dornes. The current Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, rebuilt in the 15th century, continues to honor this devotion, celebrated every year through pilgrimages and candlelight processions dating back to the Middle Ages.
Why It’s Called the Enchanted Peninsula
The name is no coincidence: Dornes stands atop a narrow strip of land, surrounded on nearly all sides by the crystal-clear waters of the Castelo de Bode reservoir. It is this landscape—the contrast between the tower at the tip of the peninsula and the blue lake that surrounds it—that earned the village the nickname “Enchanted Peninsula,” and which continues to attract those seeking a swim, a canoe ride, or simply a peaceful view of the Zêzere River.
A time portal at the tip of the peninsula
Some people feel a special energy in Dornes, and there’s even a superstition circulating among visitors about a “time portal” at the tip of the peninsula, near the Templar tower. Whether for its history, its landscape, or its mystery, the village continues to attract those seeking an extraordinary experience just a few hours from Lisbon.
Voted one of the country’s best villages six times
In 2017, Dornes was voted “Riverside Village” in the 7 Wonders of Portugal – Villages, a national contest with telephone voting, broadcast by RTP. More recently, in April 2026, it was once again honored—this time for the sixth time—with the Five-Star Award for Villages and Towns of Portugal, which recognizes the village’s landscape, history, and culture.
More things to do in Dornes
In addition to the tower and the church, Dornes features a river beach, water activities on the reservoir, and the PR1 Dornes–Vigia do Zêzere hiking trail. For dining, you can enjoy river fish at restaurants like Fonte de Cima or O Rio, and for lodging, there are themed rooms by the water, such as those at Reinado Dom Dinis or Casa da Saudade.
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