ALCOBAÇA

Dating back to 1153, the Royal Abbey of Santa Maria, widely known as Alcobaça Monastery, stands as a premier specimen of early Gothic architecture across Europe. Its inception traces back to the decree of Afonso Henriques, Portugal's inaugural king, following his triumph over the Moors during the Christian Crusades in central Iberia. Under the stewardship of King Afonso Henriques, Abbot Bernard of Clairvaux, the esteemed founder of the Cistercian Order, spearheaded the monastery's construction in 1178 AD. Drawing inspiration from the Abbey of Claraval, the primary church of the Cistercian Order in France, the monastery's design emerged.

The edifice represents Portugal's maiden venture into Gothic church architecture, with only remnants, like the Gothic portico and the rose window, surviving today. Substantial modifications during the 17th and 18th centuries saw the addition of twin bell towers, reshaping the façade. Flanking the portico, statues pay homage to São Bento and São Bernardo, embodying the monastery's enduring legacy.

Upon stepping into the church, visitors are immediately captivated by the grandeur of the central nave. Its unadorned simplicity exudes a lofty magnificence, characteristic of the Gothic style. Designed in the shape of a Latin cross, the church features a soaring ceiling, with lateral aisles matching the height of the central nave, imparting a sense of opulence and awe. Remarkably, even after eight centuries, it remains Portugal's largest church.

Within the transept, visitors will discover the tombs of the legendary couple, Dom Pedro and Dona Inés. Facing each other, these intricately adorned tombs depict the eternal bond of these famous lovers, their effigies reclining in regal splendour. Inscribed with the phrase "Até ao fim do mundo" (Until the end of the world), they serve as a poignant testament to their enduring love. Exploring the church, which takes approximately 20 minutes, is free of charge. Accessing the Sacristy involves passing through an ornate Manueline doorway and traversing a corridor adorned with ribbed vaulting, rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake.

The Reliquary Chapel, housed within the New Sacristy, stands as a testament to exquisite beauty, earning the moniker "Mirror of Heaven." Constructed under the supervision of Abbot Constantino de Sampaio from 1669 to 1672, its octagonal layout is resplendently embellished with gilded wood carvings, illuminated by natural light filtering through skylights in the cupola ceiling.

Adjacent to the church's entrance is the Hall of Kings (Sala dos Reis), functioning as the monastery's ticket office. Dating back to the 17th century, the room boasts azulejo tiles depicting historical events, including the siege of Santarém and the founding of the monastery. Adorning the walls are statues crafted by resident monks, representing nearly every king of Portugal up to Dom José, who passed away in 1777.

The monastic structures at Alcobaça were erected shortly after the completion of the church, embodying the Cistercian principle of simplicity. Visitors can delve into the monk's austere way of life for a nominal entrance fee. At the heart of the monastery lies the Claustro de Dom Dinis, or King Dinis Cloister, believed to have been constructed between 1308 and 1311 during the reign of King Dinis. These cloisters, one of five sets, were designed by Domingo Domingues and Master Diogo. Revered as the "Cloister of Silence," they served as a space for meditative contemplation.

The lower level of the cloister exemplifies medieval architectural mastery, with slender columns gracefully intertwining around buttresses, forming elegant arches crowned by rosettes. An upper floor, crafted by Diogo and João de Castilho during Manuel I's reign (1495-1521), was later added. Adjacent to the cloisters lies the Gothic Fountain Hall, showcasing a splendid early Renaissance water basin adorned with intricate motifs and the monastery's coat-of-arms.

In the 17th century, the original kitchens were replaced by the Afonso VI Cloister, featuring a Romanesque door as the sole relic of its predecessor. The new kitchen, boasting an impressive 18-metre chimney supported by eight pillars, was equipped to roast an entire ox. Adorned with glazed tiles, the opulent kitchen contrasts starkly with the monk's humble living quarters.

Adjacent to the kitchens stands the Refectory, a vast vaulted chamber where monks dined in silence. An arched staircase in the western wall leads to a picturesque pulpit, where passages from the Bible were recited to aid digestion.

The dormitory, resembling a cavernous gothic vaulted hall, provided sleeping quarters for monks, with the abbot occupying his own private quarters. In the 1930s, partitions separating individual cells in the dormitory were removed to create a more communal space.

The Chapter House served as the assembly point for daily monastic matters, with discussions initiated by readings from the Rule of St. Benedict. Accessible through a Romanesque portal, the room now hosts baroque statues sculpted by monks for the church's main chapel.
Low Season: 09h30 - 18h00, High Season: 09h30 - 19h00.

Adult: €6.00, Combined Ticket: Alcobaça, Batalha, Convento de Cristo: €15.00, Concessionary: €3.00, Child under 12: FREE, Sundays up to 14h00: FREE.
Lisbon Card: FREE

Contact Details
Mosteiro de Alcobaça, 2460-018, Alcobaça, Portugal.
39° 32' 54.2"N | 08° 58' 48.2"W | +351 262 505 120 | mosteiro.alcobaca@igespar.pt

With a tumultuous past, this castle stands as a testament to centuries of history, though little of its original form remains. Constructed in the 12th century following the Reconquista, the existing walls replaced a 6th-century Moorish stronghold repeatedly besieged by Christian forces. Positioned strategically atop a hill, the castle's slopes were cultivated by Cistercian monks for grape cultivation, initiating the town's winemaking legacy.

Despite enduring four earthquakes and looting by locals, partial reconstruction efforts in the 1950s preserved seven square turrets and the Moorish watchtower known as the "Torre dos Sete Sobrados." Yet, the castle's primary allure lies in its panoramic vistas, offering breathtaking views of the Monastery and the town below.

The National Wine Museum occupies a former winery established by José Raposo de Magalhães, a pioneer in Alcobaça's winemaking legacy. Originally part of the Monastery's holdings, Magalhães transformed the winery with modern grape cultivation methods and innovative wine production techniques, elevating the region's reputation and prosperity through its exceptional wines, renowned both locally and internationally. Amid the phylloxera outbreak, Magalhães revolutionised Alcobaça's vineyards by introducing grafts from France.

Portugal's premier wine institution, the National Wine Museum, boasts a collection of over 8,500 artifacts celebrating oenology and related trades. Visitors can explore an array of exhibits showcasing portable presses, historic wine labels, barrels, bottles, farming implements, and copper stills sourced from across the country. A captivating tour of the cellars and distillery awaits, culminating in a delightful wine tasting experience.
Tuesday - Friday: 09h00 - 11h30/14h00 - 17h00, Weekends: 10h00 - 12h30/13h30 - 16h00,
Adult: €4.00, Concessionary Disabled, Student, Youth card & OAP: €2.50, Child under 12: FREE

Contact Details
Rua de Leiria Olival Fechado, Alcobaça, Portugal.
39° 33' 08.0"N | 08° 58' 38.9"W | +351 262 582 750 | museus@cm-alcobaca.pt

Near Alcobaça lies the Monastery of Santa Maria Cós, one of Portugal's largest Cistercian nunneries. Despite its weathered exterior, this monastery brims with historical and cultural significance. Founded in the 13th century by the Abbot of Alcobaça, it stands as a monumental complex in the region, serving as the primary monastery for Cistercian nuns. Originally established in the 12th century to accommodate widows seeking a monastic life, the monastery witnessed expansions between 1558 and 1670, solidifying its prominence.

Inside, visitors are greeted by an exquisite early Portuguese Baroque décor, featuring intricately carved wood ceilings, 17th and 18th-century azulejo tiles, and opulent gilded altars. Ten azulejo tile panels vividly narrate the life of Saint Bernardo de Claraval (Clairvaux), a pivotal figure in the Cistercian order. A preserved gilded screen once segregated the cloistered nuns from the outside world.

Recognised as a Building of Public Interest in 1946, the monastery has undergone extensive restoration, preserving its rich heritage for generations to come.
Tuesday - Saturday: 09h30 - 12h30/14h00 - 18h00, Sunday: 14h00 - 18h00, Monday: CLOSED.

Entrance: FREE

Contact Details
6 Rua de Santa Rita 2460 Coz, Alcobaça, Portugal.
39° 35' 54.3"N | 08° 57' 20.5"W | +351 262 582 750 | juntafcoz@mail.telepac.pt