The most famous monasteries of Portugal

Portugal is part of the 20s of the most visited countries in the world, receiving every year about 13 million foreign tourists, mostly from the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain.

Tourists come here not only in search of the Sun, beaches and historical attractions, but also with cultural, gastronomic and pilgrim targets. In this article we will get acquainted with the famous religious attractions in Portugal, members of the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Of the 15 Portuguese attractions, meaning in the UNESCO list, four are monasteries. About them and will be discussed below:

Convento de Crista in Tomar (Convento De Cristo Em Tomar), also known as Monastery of Christ – The main shrine of Portuguese Templars, founded in the 12th century as the Order Castle. In 1312, the castle was transferred to the Order of Christ, and became his main residence in 1347. The oldest construction of the complex is the round church. Over the years under the walls of the fortress, a full-fledged city has grown – Thor.

Monastery Zheronimush (Mosteiro Dos Jerónimos), also known as Monastery Jeronimitov – A large complex of buildings, spread in Lisbon suburb of Santa Maria de Belen, next to Lisbon – Tower of Belen and the official residence of the President – Belensky Palace.

Was founded in 1450, and his fate was repeatedly intertwined with the history of great geographical discoveries. For example, the famous Vasco Daughter Daughter Daughter, resting now in the monastery tomb, prayed here all night before sailing to India. In addition, the Kings of Manuela I and Juan III, as well as the poets of Kamense and Fernando Pessoa. In the western part of the monastery is the National Archaeological Museum.

Monastery Batalha (Mosteiro de Batalha) – Dominican monastery in the same city of Batalia, which is 120 km north of Lisbon. His construction had to for the period from 1385 to 1517. Many of the Portuguese kings and famous personalities are resting here, including the King of Duarta I and the organizer of numerous marine expeditions – Heinrich Marine. National Museum open on the territory of the monastery.

Monastery Alkobasa (Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça) – Medieval Cistercian Monastery Complex in the same city of Alkobasa, which is about 122 km north of Lisbon. It was founded in 1153 by the 1st Portuguese king Afonus Enrikesh and almost two centuries served as the main royal tomb. In the past, he was a major center of crafts and one of the richest monasteries of Portugal, because in his submission there were thirteen cities and a couple of locks. Napoleonic wars became a black period in the history of the monastery, many of his treasures plundered the French.