Knights Templar: Sites and History
The Knights Templar emerged in the early twelfth century to protect pilgrims in the eastern Mediterranean. Their castles, chapels and European preceptories supported defence, worship and an international network of estates. The medieval order was suppressed in 1312; later Templar revivals and traditions have their own histories.
The map brings together coastal fortresses in the Levant, castles in Iberia and surviving chapel buildings farther north. Their individual articles explain the Templar phase and later changes to each place.
Explore Knights Templar sites
Templar castles and chapels from the Levant to Europe show how the order defended routes, worshipped and supported its estates.
Daily life
Daily Life in the Knights Templar: Members, Houses, and Campaigns
The Templars combined monastic discipline with military service, relying on a diverse body of brothers, clergy, estate workers, and supporters across medieval Europe and the eastern Mediterranean.
- Joining the Templars: Knights, Serving Brothers and Clergy
- Knights Templar: Horses, Equipment and Campaign Service
- Life in a Templar Commandery: Work and Worship in a Medieval House
- The Knights Templar: Rules for Prayer, Meals and Communal Discipline
- Women, Associates and Neighbours of the Templars: Patronage, Religious Ties and Local Life
History and society
Knights Templar: History and Organization of a Medieval Military Order
Founded in the early twelfth century to protect Christian pilgrims, the Knights Templar became a papally protected military order with estates, military responsibilities and financial operations across Europe and the eastern Mediterranean.
- History of the Knights Templar: Formation, Expansion and Suppression
- Knights Templar Administration, Correspondence and Travel
- Knights Templar Estates: Farming and European Support Networks
- Knights Templar Legacy and Modern Revivals: Masonic Traditions and Historical Memory
- Knights Templar Privileges: Churches, Jurisdiction and Local Communities
- Knights Templar: Military Service, Castles and Frontier Defence