Historic Places Part One, March 14, 2023

 There were four places we researched that we wanted to see during our time in Nazare.  We split them into two days of exploring.  Today we are heading to Alcobaca (ahl-koh-BAH-sah)  to see their famous monastery and then to the walled town of Obidos (OH-bee-doosh).  Another sunny and warm (19c) day so perfect for sightseeing.

The town of Alcobaca is a pleasant little town but has one of the most interesting monasteries in Portugal. The Monastery of Santa Maria is acknowledged as the finest Gothic building in Portugal.  Its also the countries largest church.  The wings stretching to the right and left housed the monks and pilgrims.

Construction started in 1178 and the first Cistercian monks arrived in 1228.  It was originally designed in Gothic style but in the 18th century the facade was given a richly decorated Baroque facelift.  This simple abbey was designed to be filled with hard work, prayer and total silence. Its now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

Stepping inside, you find a suitably grand yet austere house of prayer.  Just strait Gothic lines with the only décor being the carved leafy capitals.  It is breathtaking in its simplicity. 

The 18th century built kitchen is massive and the walls are covered in ceramic tiles.  This kitchen fed huge numbers on a daily basis including its 450 monks plus the peasants who worked the church-owned land.  The monks re-routed parts of the Alcoa River to bring in running water to the monastery including the kitchen.  The massive fireplace and chimney could roast a whole oxen.

The Cloister where the monks congregated to meditate, prey and exercise in silence.  It took the monks 50 years to build the abbey and they inhabited it from 1228 to 1834 when the Portuguese king disbanded all monasteries. 
















  

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