Portugal Holidays: Alcobaca in Portugal




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The Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça is the largest church of Portugal. The Cistercian abbey was founded in 1148 by King Afonso Henriques after he had expelled the Moors from Santarém. The monastery got donations from the monarchy also within the next centuries. It was modified and enlarged again and again. One of the patrons was Dom Pedro I. who selected the church also as grave for himself and his mistress Inês de Castro. The splendid monastery was declared the world cultural heritage by UNESCO.

	A walk inside the monastery is recommended because it is still in good condition and therefore very clear. The Cloister of Dom Dinis or Cloister of Silence of the year 1308, as well as the tombs of Dom Pedro I. and his lover Inês de Castro are particularly remarkable.


	Dom Pedro I. and the assassination attempt to Inês de Castro Although Pedro, son of Afonso IV, loved Inês de Castro a lady at court, he was for political reasons forced to marry Constanza of Castile. After the death of the latest, he lived with Inês in Coimbra. In the firm faith Inês is a danger for the king's family, Afonso ordered to murder her on the 7th January,1355.


	After the death of Afonso IV, Pedro had to punish the murderers by the fact that he had their hearts pulled out. He declared Inês as his wife. She was exhumed and crowned. On request of the king, the sarcophagi in the church are built opposite each other, so that he is the first to see his lover on the day of the Last Judgement.


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