Monastery of Alcobaça
The Monastery of Alcobaça was one of the first Cistercian foundations in Portugal. It became the main centre of this religious order, as a result of a continuous policy of royal protection begun by King Afonso Henriques. The Monastery’s extant medieval structures are unique in the world. Besides, its later additions, dating from the 16th through to the 18th centuries, bear an important testimony to the evolution of Portuguese architecture.
The Monastery is inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Visiting Hours
October to March
From 9 am to 5 pm (last entry at 4:30 pm)
April to September
From 9 am to 7 pm (last entry at 6:30 pm)
It closes on 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 May and 25 December
The monument’s visiting hours may be extended, if previously agreed.
Events held
Meals, receptions, conferences, music or poetry recitals, book launching, solemn acts, cultural activities, and exhibitions.
Days and timings of events will be arranged on a case- by-case basis.
Equipment available
100 conference chairs,
100 outdoor chairs,
100 chairs and
8 wood dining tables, used in the refectory, but to be placed elsewhere, if necessary.
Different Areas
Refectory
Area: 450 m2
Built in the 13th century, this is a vast area with imposing columns. It still preserves some of its famous terracotta sculptures and part of the pulpit where readings used to take place during community meals.
It may be used for dinners, receptions, cocktails and buffets.
Standing capacity: 500 people Seating capacity: 250 people.
Desterro Chapel
Area: 120 m2
Located in the Murtas Garden, with an entrance through the Manueline Sacristy’s atrium, it was commissioned in 1690, following the Baroque spirit of the time. It is lined with tiles (azulejos) and has dynamic torso columns on the façade.
It may be used for religious ceremonies, music and/or poetry recitals and book launching;
Standing capacity: 100 people and seating capacity: 30 people.
Kitchen
Area: 729 m2
An 18th- century kitchen replaced a former medieval one, built during the reign of King D. Dinis. Noteworthy in the kitchen are a tank used by monks to catch water from the river Alcoa, and at the centre, a huge 18th-century chimney supported by eigth cast iron columns, an innovative technology in Portugal.
It may also be used for dinners, exhibitions and meetings, or as an extension to the cloister and Monks Hall, to which it is directly connected;
Standing capacity: 100 people.
Monks’ Hall
Area: 638 m2
This hall is located in the monastic complex’s medieval nucleus. Its original use is unknown. Noteworthy are its monumental monolithic columns and a stepped floor that was designed to level out the ground.
It may be used for presentations, meetings, dinners, as well as for shooting purposes;
Seating capacity: 180 people and standing capacity: 300 people.
São Bernardo Gallery
Area: (?)
Appropriate for temporary exhibitions and other events, it underwent a contemporary intervention by the architect Gonçalo Byrne.
It has direct access to the exterior;
Provided with lighting equipment;
It may be used for cultural events and temporary exhibitions (no air conditioning).
Useful information
Contacts
Director: Ana Fátima Pagará
Address: Praça 25 de Abril, 2460 - 018 Alcobaça
Telephone: + 351 249 313 481
Fax: + 351 262 505 120
E-mail: geral@malcobaca.dgpc.pt
How to get there:
A1 or A8 motorway; by express bus.
Shop
Open during the Monument’s visiting hours
Stock for sale: postcards, scientific and learning publications and reproductions of collections from DGPC’s monuments.
Loja do Mundo Conventual: a shop specialised in quality regional products.
Parking facilities
Free parking is available for cars and buses in the monument’s own car park.
Payment options
Visa, ATM and cheque
Documentation available
Tour guides (in Portuguese, English and French)
Leaflets (in Portuguese, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Japanese)
Signposting (in Portuguese and English)
Access for people with reduced mobility
There is access for people with reduced mobility on the ground floor, with a visit to the Monks’ Hall, D. Dinis Cloister, Chapter House, Refectory, Kitchen and Church.
This service is available on request (at the reception), or by advance reservation.