Alcobaca - Silver Coast and Central Portugal information
Alcobaça, a land with history
Alcobaça is one of the councils that compose the district of Leiria, in centre of Portugal. Located 42 meters of altitude, Alcobaça grew between the valleys of the rivers Alcoa and Baça. Now a days, Alcobaça counts with a population of more than 55 thousand inhabitants, distributed by 18 “freguesias”. The city of Alcobaça is about 109 km of the capital Lisbon, locating among three larger cities, Caldas da Rainha, Marinha Grande and Leiria.
One of the most important patrimonies of Alcobaça is the monastery or “Real Abadia de Santa Maria de Alcobaça”, founded in 1178 by the Order of Cister. Known as monastery of Alcobaça, that structure was classified by UNESCO in 1989 as "World Heritage”.
The mains products in Alcobaça are the apple Casa Nova, pear Rocha and the peach. The area still counts with a great gastronomic variety. There are also prominence for the beauty of the brickwork and ceramic, besides its crystal work. The council is also knows by its alimentary and textile industries.
The visitors may also dispose of beaches like “S. Martinho do Porto”, where is possible to practice nautical sports. The gold sand dunes of “Paredes da Vitória” and some other beaches are part of the historical “Pinhal of Leiria”, like the beaches of “Água de Medeiros”, “Falca”, “Gralha”, “Légua”, “Pedra de Ouro”, “Polvoeira”, “Vale Furado” and “Salgado”.
From the “Serra dos Candeeiros”, where repose the natural charms and small stone walls, there is also a splendorous view of the Alcobaça council. From there, is possible to see the natural beauties, besides the unique historical patrimonies.
For who wants to know a little bit more of the Alcobaça history, one of the alternatives is to visit the Monastery of Coz, where you will discover the beautiful Church and Coro, besides the historical town of Aljubarrota and the museums that preserve the vast history of the area, as the museum of the Wine, museum “Monográfico do Bárrio”, museum of “Atlantis”, museum “Raul da Bernarda and Filhos” and Agricultural museum.
Other touristic points of interest are the chapel of “Nossa Senhora do Desterro”, the castle of Alcobaça, the chapel of “Senhora da Conceição”, the building in the Dr. Diamond street, the building where Manuel Vieira Natividade lived, as well as the Cine-theater of Alcobaça, the Adães Bermudes school, challet of “Fonte Nova” and the grocery store of the arts.