Alcobaça Monastery, Gothic Cistercian monastery in Alcobaça, Portugal.
The monastery complex features Latin-cross architecture with high nave columns, natural illumination through lateral walls, and detailed Gothic sculptures throughout the building.
King Afonso Henriques founded this religious center in 1153, which developed into one of Portugal's most influential monasteries, housing 1,000 monks by the year 1300.
The monastery maintained one of Portugal's largest medieval libraries and established a public school in 1269, functioning as a central hub for education.
The monastery receives nearly 200,000 visitors annually and provides guided tours with varying schedules depending on seasonal changes throughout the year.
The kitchen, built during the 18th century, demonstrates advanced engineering with a water channel directing river flow through the space and ventilation through twenty chimneys.
Location: Alcobaça e Vestiaria
Inception: 1187
Architectural style: Gothic architecture
Website: http://mosteiroalcobaca.pt
GPS coordinates: 39.54849,-8.97994
Latest update: May 26, 2025 21:22
European religious architecture spans over a thousand years, from the Middle Ages to the present day. This collection includes monasteries and buildings constructed in a variety of styles, from Romanesque to Gothic, Baroque to Rococo, and innovative modern designs still under development. Some are situated in notable locations: Mont-Saint-Michel rises on its rocky islet surrounded by tides, Meteora monasteries overlook the Thessalian plain from their sandstone pinnacles, while Kylemore Abbey reflects in the waters of Connemara. Many of these sites retain their original religious purpose. Monks still inhabit Sainte-Catherine in Sinai, Rila in Bulgaria, and Kylemore in Ireland. Others, like San Galgano in Tuscany, have lost their roofs and inhabitants but still bear witness to the scale of medieval constructions. Visitors can explore Wiblingen's baroque libraries, walk through the underground tunnels of Petchersk Lavra, or admire the royal tombs at Alcobaça Monastery. Each structure tells a part of the continent's religious and architectural history.
Portugal extends well beyond its main tourist centers. Away from the established routes lie medieval villages like Monsanto, where granite houses wedge themselves between massive boulders, or the fortified hilltop town of Marvão overlooking the Spanish border. Peneda-Gerês National Park spreads across forests, rivers and centuries-old settlements connected by hiking trails. The coastline varies considerably: Cabo Espichel with its cliffs and remote pilgrimage site, the rock formations at Ponta da Piedade near Lagos, the striped wooden houses of Costa Nova facing the ocean. The Azores offer crater lakes such as Lagoa das Sete Cidades, volcanic caves like Gruta das Torres and thermal springs at Caldeira Velha. Madeira presents the coastal village of Paul do Mar and the plateau of Fajã dos Padres, accessible only by cable car. The list includes religious structures such as Alcobaça Monastery, the bone chapel in Évora and Convento dos Capuchos in the forests near Sintra. Historic fortifications like Almourol Castle on a Tagus island or the fortress at Sagres on the continent's southwestern tip complete the picture.
Tomb of Inês de Castro
67 m
Abadia de Alcobaça
336 m
Castle of Alcobaça
302 m
Capilla de Ntra. Sra. del Destierro
140 m
Casa da Família Serrano
87 m
Palacete da Família Rino
278 m
CTT de Alcobaça
138 m
Casa na Rua Frei António Brandão, n.º 38 a 44
214 m
Edifício na Praça 25 de Abril, n.º 73 a 75
106 m
Edifício do Café Portugal
146 m
Casa na Rua Maria e Oliveira
362 m
Edifício na Rua Alexandre Herculano, n.º 41
111 m
Casa da Cerca do Colégio
189 m
Capela de Nossa Senhora da Conceição
334 m
Cooperativa Agrícola de Alcobaça
288 m
Casa da Família Oliveira
287 m
Edifício onde viveu Manuel Vieira da Natividade
131 m
Edifício e Igreja da Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Alcobaça
206 m
Casa na Rua João de Deus, n.º 16 a 18
223 m
Celeiro do Mosteiro de Alcobaça
149 m
Casa revivalista na Rua Frei António Brandão
249 m
Jardim do Amor
268 m
Casa Família Magalhães
301 m
Edifício na Rua Almirante Cândido dos Reis, n.º 2
199 m
Casa dos Magistrados
243 m
Edifício em Alcobaça na Rua Dr. Brilhante n.º 5
266 m
Edifício na Rua Almirante Cândido dos Reis, n.º 1
222 m
Jardim Escola João de Deus
330 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes