DO YOU KNOW WHO ARE THE MAIN CHARACTERS OF THE GREATEST LOVE STORY EVER? VISIT ALCOBAÇA AND LET YOURSELF BE SWEPT AWAY BY THE OVERWHELMING FEELING OF A FORBIDDEN LOVE, A UNIQUE STORY THAT CHALLENGED TIME.
The greatest love story ever had as main characters King Pedro I and Inês de Castro. No one managed to set them apart, neither the king’s opposition, nor even their death. Be a witness of the echoes of this passion that goes back to the 14th century, in the magnificence of Alcobaça Monastery. Their tombs, two extraordinary sculpting pieces, became the symbol of this true, tragic, and immortal story.
Inês de Castro tomb
The Monastery, a masterpiece that charms for its impressiveness, was classified as UNESCO Heritage Site, in 1989, and is one of the most beautiful testimonies of Cistercian architecture of all Europe. Built roughly 900 years ago, it preserves the set of medieval buildings. Its church is the largest Cistercian monastic church and one of the largest in Europe. Contemporary of the Foundation of Portugal, it followed closely the most crucial moments of its history.
Alcobaça Monastery
The people of Alcobaça have passion in their DNA. A working people that has treated their land with dedication and know-how for centuries, turning it therefore into a unique territory in terms of fertile lands of orchards, olive trees, vineyards, vegetables, and thick forests.
From Serra dos Candeeiros until the Atlantic Ocean, there are more than 150 square miles of highly distinctive and seducing landscapes. The long coastline, with more than 8 miles of sand area, and 9 quite different beaches, standing out to the North, Paredes da Vitória and, to the South, São Martinho do Porto. Beaches for families, for adventurers, for sports, for generations’ meetings, and also for fine memories. A vast coastline, with white sand beaches and a blue sight as far as the eye can see, where nature fills the heart of its visitors.
Paredes da Vitória
São Martinho do Porto
But if the west fog insists on staying, go and get lost in the walking paths that cross the territory. The tracks have been established to enjoy the landscape, the fields, and the nature.
São Martinho do Porto
Vimeiro
You may also visit Museu do Vinho (Wine Museum), Lagoa de Pataias (Pataias Lagoon), the Percurso Camoniano (Camões Path) or get lost by exploring the tracks that run through this fascinating land. That is how you will be able to find some examples of the picturesque vernacular architecture that still lingers throughout the old villages.
Pataias lagoon
The legacy of the Cistercian Monks of Alcobaça, renown agronomical masters, have built an exemplary hydraulic system, for the recovery and the diversion of waters that served and fed many generations. Do not miss visiting Parque Verde de Alcobaça (Green Park of Alcobaça), located on the margin of Alcoa River, where that are still traces of this device.
Green Park
Six miles away from Alcobaça there is Coz, one of the ancient settlements of Coutos de Alcobaça (Alcobaça hunting grounds), surrounded by agricultural fields and old forests. It was here that in the 13th century, a community of Cistercian nuns was established. In the 16th century, Mosteiro de Coz (Coz Monastery) became one of the richest women’s monasteries. With its baroque artistic splendour, the church bears witness to the wealth of this community.
Coz Monastery
Gastronomy is one of the other attractions of this region. Indulge in the freshness of the products that go straight from the producers to the table. Alcobaça apple, the wines, the conventual sweets, rocha pear, Cherry Liqueur, Alcobaça’s spotted pig meat, the coast fresh fish, the olive oil, produced in a traditional way, and the bread, baked in wood oven, that remind us of the Sunday lunches at our grandparents’. Quality, taste, and identity: a huge crush!
In this area, innovation is the matrix that keeps many companies in the forefront, in ceramics, in cutlery, in agricultural, in moulds and also in arts.
The excellence and the passion of this people for doing well is quite famous, as well as welcoming well. Visit this city whenever you wish to, throughout the year, because you know that “Those passing by Alcobaça are compelled to return”!
