"Alcobaca" a Alcobaça Travel Page by mikelisaanna

Alcobaca is a town in Portugal which is the home of one of the country's largest and oldest monasteries, the Monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobaca. The Alcobaca monastery was originially founded by King Alfonso in 1153 and was occupied by the Cistercian Order of monks, who lived much of their life in silence. The Monastery features a large austere church, and three cloisters (only one of which, the Cloister of Silence, is open to the public), and a number of large rooms with vaulted stone ceilings. Another highlight of a visit to the monastery is the kitchen, which features a massive chimney (trust us, it's more impressive than it sounds).