ALCOBAÇA
Portugal’s largest church, the Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça, is
renowned for its simple medieval architecture. Founded in 1153, this UNESCO
World Heritage site is closely linked to the arrival of the Cistercian order
in Portugal in 1138 as well as the birth of the nation. In March 1147, King
Afonso Henriques conquered the Moorish stronghold of Santarém. To
commemorate the victory, he fulfilled his vow to build a church for the
Cistercians, a task completed in 1223. The monastery was further endowed by
other monarchs, notably King Dinis who built the main cloister. Among those
buried here are the tragic lovers King Pedro and his murdered mistress
Inês.
- Santa Maria de Alcobaça, Praça 25 de Abril, Alcobaça.
- Tel: 262 505 120.
-
from Lisbon, Coimbra,
Leiria. -
9am–7pm (Oct–Mar: to 5pm) daily
(last adm: 30 mins before closing). -
public hols.
-
11:30am
Sun. -
(free 9am–2pm
Sun).
Tombs of Pedro I and Inês de Castro
Pedro’s statue, attended by angels, lies opposite that of Inês. The king
insisted that they face each other so that his first sight on Judgment
Day would be of his beloved.
Refectory and Kitchen
Stairs lead up to the pulpit where one of the monks read from the Bible
as the others ate in silence. In the vast kitchen next door, oxen could
be roasted on the spit inside the chimney and a specially diverted
stream provided a constant water supply.
Sacristy Doorway
Exotic foliage and elaborate pinnacles adorn the Manueline doorway,
attributed to João de Castilho (see Mosteiro dos
Jerónimos).
Reasons of state obliged Pedro, son and heir of Afonso IV, to marry Costanza,
Infanta of Castile, despite the fact he was in love with a lady at court,
Inês de Castro. When Costanza died, Pedro went to live with Inês in Coimbra.
Persuaded that Inês’s family was dangerous, Afonso IV had her murdered on 7
January 1355 (see Across the
Mondego). On Afonso’s death, Pedro took revenge on two of the
killers by having their hearts torn out. Declaring that he had been married
to Inês, Pedro had her corpse exhumed and crowned. In a final gruesome
gesture, he compelled his court to kneel before Inês and kiss her decomposed
hand.
