CASTLES AND MONASTERIES OF PORTUGAL II (1 Day)

We leave toward Alcobaça where we will find the Monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobaça or Royal Abbey of Santa Maria one of the first Cistercian monastic foundations in Portuguese territory, with a  construction that began in 1178. It is currently classified as a World Heritage by UNESCO and it was elected as one of the seven wonders of Portugal.

We proceed to the castle of Porto de Mós, fulfilled with military, gothic and Renaissance influences, having played an important role during the period of the Christian conquest and in the Battle of Aljubarrota (Royal Battle), hosting the troops of D. John I and D. Nuno Álvares Pereira on the nights before the battle.

We continue our visit to the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitoria or Monastery of Batalha, an important national monument that has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 1983. Built as a result of the fulfillment of a promise made by King John I at the time of his victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota (Royal Battle), held on August 14, 1385, which guaranteed the independence of Portugal over the kingdom of Castile. Free time for lunch.

After lunch we will discover the Castle of Leiria, built by D. Afonso Henriques, as a way to build a defensive line against the Arabs, where there are several emblematic spaces such as the Church of Our Lady of Pena, the old Royal Paços, the Torre de Menagem and a magnificent view over the city of Leiria.

We end our visit surrounded by centuries of history imprinted in all its architectural, historical and religious heritage that the Medieval Village of Óbidos keeps among its walls. Return.