Portugal's first Gothic masterpieceThe Monastery of Alcobaça — properly the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobaça — stands in the town of Alcobaça in western Portugal. It is the first fully Gothic building raised on Portuguese soil, its construction begun in 1178 by monks of the Cistercian Order. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989 and a Portuguese National Monument since 1910. A royal foundationThe monastery grew from lands granted by Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, in fulfilment of a vow made at the conquest of Santarém; the donation charter was signed in 1153. Modelled closely on the abbey of Clairvaux, from which the order sprang, Alcobaça became the head of a vast domain, and its 'white monks' played a notable civilising role, running a pharmacy and distributing bread and alms. The tombs of Pedro and InêsAlcobaça is famous above all for the exquisitely carved tombs of King Pedro I and Inês de Castro, the lovers of one of Portugal's most poignant royal tragedies, placed in the church so that, by tradition, they would face each other on the day of resurrection. Later historyThe monks were forced to abandon the monastery in 1834, when Portugal dissolved its religious orders. In 2007 Alcobaça was voted one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal, and today it is among the country's most visited monuments. Location: Alcobaça, Oeste region, PortugalBuilt: Begun 1178 by the Cistercian Order; first Gothic building in PortugalHighlights: Tombs of Pedro I and Inês de Castro; vast Gothic church and cloistersStatus: UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989; National Monument since 1910Visiting: Open to visitors; one of Portugal's most visited monuments
