Alcobaça
Alcobaça, in the valleys of the rivers Alcoa and Baça, is home to one of the largest and best-preserved Cistercian monasteries in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Gothic tombs of Pedro I and Inês de Castro, the Cloister of Silence and the tiled kitchen.
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Alcobaça grew along the valleys of the rivers Alcoa and Baça, which gave the city its name, and its story is bound up with one of the great monasteries of Europe.
The monastery was founded in 1153 by Afonso Henriques, Portugal's first king, as a gift to Bernard of Clairvaux. According to UNESCO, the land was given to the Cistercians in recognition of their support in the conquest of Santarém, on the understanding that they would settle and farm it. Construction began in 1178, the monks moved in in 1223 and the church was finished in 1252; Wikipedia describes it as the largest church in Portugal at the time. The monastery's official site calls it one of the largest and best-preserved Cistercian monasteries in Europe, and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989.
Inside the church lie the twin Gothic tombs of King Pedro I and Inês de Castro, murdered on the orders of his father, Afonso IV. UNESCO dates them to around 1360 and notes that their carving was damaged by Napoleon's troops in 1810-1811; the story behind them inspired the poet Luís Vaz de Camões and many other writers and filmmakers. Kings Afonso II and Afonso III and their queens are also buried here.
Take time over the rest of the complex: the Cloister of Silence, built on the orders of King Dinis in the late 13th century, the Manueline sacristy and the King's Room. The present kitchen, clad in azulejo tiles, dates from the mid-18th century. A few kilometres to the north stands the Monastery of Batalha, and to the west lies Nazaré.
The craft beer scene in Alcobaça is still waiting to be discovered. Pair a visit to the monastery with a wider look around the Oeste region, where travellers can seek out what nearby towns are pouring.
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Frequently asked questions
It is one of the largest and best-preserved Cistercian monasteries in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989. Founded in 1153 by Afonso Henriques, Portugal's first king, it was begun in 1178, and its church, finished in 1252, was described as the largest in Portugal at the time.
King Pedro I and Inês de Castro lie in twin Gothic tombs dated to around 1360, damaged by Napoleon's troops in 1810-1811. Their story inspired the poet Luís Vaz de Camões and many other writers and filmmakers. Kings Afonso II and Afonso III and their queens are also buried here.
Take time over the Cloister of Silence, built on the orders of King Dinis in the late 13th century, the Manueline sacristy and the King's Room. The present kitchen, clad in azulejo tiles, dates from the mid-18th century. Allow enough time to explore the whole complex at an unhurried pace.
The Monastery of Batalha stands a few kilometres to the north, and Nazaré lies to the west, so Alcobaça combines well with both. The city itself grew along the valleys of the rivers Alcoa and Baça, which gave it its name, and its story is bound up with its great monastery.