The largest Gothic church of the Order of Cistercians. Classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this imposing monastery is one of the most impressive and beautiful examples of Cistercian architecture in all of Europe. The Abbey's Charter of Foundation dates from April 8, 1153 and, despite its almost 900 years, it keeps intact all the medieval dependencies. Its church is the first and largest in primitive Gothic style, built in Portugal during the Middle Ages. Contemporary with the founding of Portugal, the Monastery is also a bit of its history. Founded by the first king, D. Afonso Henriques, and since then dedicated to the Marian cult, it was born from the donation of the lands of Alcobaça to Bernardo de Claraval and the Cistercian Order for the victory over the Moors in the conquest of Santarém. Construction began in 1178 and ended about 100 years later. At the time, the master masons of the Order of Cistercians experimented with a new “mode” of construction – Gothic – introducing this architectural language into Portuguese territory. The monks in white habit created a work of unique civilization in the region, the first example of which is the public school instituted from 1269 onwards. the monks settled, developed and where they instituted a school of agriculture. On the church's façade, only the Gothic portico is original. Flanking it, the lightness of the statues of Saint Benedict and Saint Bernard contrasts with the Baroque weight of the frontispiece and the bell towers that were added in the 18th century, when the last parts of the monastery were also completed. The grandiose central nave, stripped of any adornment, produces a sense of elevation and spirituality. In the center of each transept arm we can see two masterpieces of medieval statuary, the tombs of D. Pedro I (1357-67) and D. Inês, placed face to face so that they can be found again on Resurrection Day. Be sure to visit the impressive set of medieval rooms, including the Refectory, the Bedroom and the Chapter Room, as well as the Cloister of D. Dinis, the surprising Kitchen and the Room of the Kings.