casa dos mangues

Recommendations > Landmarks

Alcobaça

The beautiful city of Alcobaça is only a few minutes away from Casa dos Mangues and is well worth a visit. Here you can find the well known Mosterio de Santa Maria de Alcobaça (classified by UNESCO as World Heritage); the castle of moorish origin and with a view of the whole city with it's many architectural riches intersperced with gardens, squares and monuments.

The Abadia de Santa Maria de Alcobaça was built by the Cister monks between 1178 and 1254. They modelled it from the Clairvaux Abbey which is the home of the Cister Order in Claraval, France. It is approximately 220 meters long and is made up of three buildings: the church, the north wing (quarters of the King and court visitors) and the south wing (abbey and monk's quarters). The church is the most impressive primitive gothic building in Portugal and has a façade that rises 43 meters high, has three naves with 12 vaults held up by pointed arches that culminate in a three nave transept. Here we can find the tombs of Dom Pedro and Dona Inês dating circa 1360. Remnants of a tragic love story between these two figures, the 14th century tombs are two of the most beautiful architectural works of their kind. The monastery has significant cultural importance: the first two public lessons were held here in 1269, a great part of the portuguese medieval coda were written here, the biggest historical study of Portugal was produced here and the first pharmacy in the kingdom began here.

Batalha

The Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória, built in the reign of Dom João I in thanks of the portuguese victory in The battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, is the great portuguese late gothic monument and also where the Manueline style began. It is one of the finest monastic clusters from the end of the middle ages.

The monumental building's construction began around 1386/87 under the guideance of the portuguese Mestre Afonso Domingues. It includes the latin cross shaped church with three naves and five apsidal chapels: the Founder's Chapel, the Vestry, the Royal Cloister, the Chapter Room, the Primitive Dormitory, the Cloister of Dom Afonso V and the Dom Duarte Pantheon or Imperfect Chapels (Capelas Imperfeitas). In 1388 king Dom João I gave the monastery over to the Order Of São Domingos de Gusmão, with whom it remained until 1834.

Due to various mishaps, and not withstanding several attempts at restoration, little remains of the sumptuous architectural feat. However, special mention must be made of what is left of the medieval stained glass in the church, Founder's Chapel and Chapter Room.

For it's historical significance and artistic importance the Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória was classified as a National Monument and enroled by UNESCO in the World Heritage list.

Óbidos

The village of Óbidos holds centuries of history within it's walls. It started in the 1st century as the roman city of Eburobrittium. Until 1148 when it was taken by the moors, it´'s walls shelterd romans, visigoths and arabs. Since then Óbidos became the village of kings and queens who elected it as one of their favourite resting spots.

Surrounded by impressive walls, Óbidos is a privileged place for visiting tourists for it shows the marks of all who helped to build it. The narrow streets with charming corners and nooks and it's unique interpretation of western architecture make this village one of the most visited in the region.

During holy week it is filled with people coming to see the grand priocession with vividly prepared scenes.

Other places to visit: Fátima and Caldas da Rainha, the city of pilgrimage where the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherds.