The origin of the Monastery of Alcobaça, Portugal

Monastery of Alcobaça, a UNESCO World Heritage site, traces its roots to the 12th century as a Cistercian order sanctuary.

The Order of Císter’s origin

The Order of Saint Benedict

To understand why the Monastery of Alcobaça stands where it does, we must delve into the origins of the Order of Saint Benedict, founded in 529 AD at the Abbey of Montecassino.

Guided by the motto “Ora et Labora” (pray and work), these black-robed monks attracted many followers and donations, evolving from a simple existence to wield great power beyond their rightful influence.

The order was deviating from its path

In the 10th century, almost five centuries after the Order had started, Europe experienced chaotic times, with great promiscuity between ecclesiastical power and feudal power. 

This distance from the original order principles began to create protests within a group of monks, which some feudal lords shared.

In 910 AD, Guilherme The Pious, Duke of Aquitaine, donated some land to build a Benedictine monastery that would depend solely on Rome’s power.

In this monastery, the dissident monks could create an order to return to the Benedictines’ original purity.

The Order of Cluny

Bernão, Abbot of Baume, assumed leadership of the new Order, now known as the Order of Cluny.

This order emerged as a dominant force in the Middle Ages.

Its independence, fueled by generous donations, led to the supervision of numerous Benedictine monasteries.

However, this prosperity deviated from its founding principles, prompting the birth of the Cistercian Order in 1098. 

The Cisterian Order

Led by Robert of Molesme, a select group of monks established the Cistercian Order at Cîteaux Abbey, near Burgundy.

The Benedictine monks of this movement distinguish themselves from other Benedictians by:

– wearing a white habit, 

– embracing a life devoid of luxuries, 

– and sustaining themselves through field work and prayer.

This movement quickly garnered sponsors among feudal lords, thriving in the burgeoning Portuguese nation in the 12th century.

In Portugal, as in other European kingdoms, Cistercians made two significant contributions: 

• • introducing the Gothic style, albeit in its nascent stage, 
  • and pioneering new agronomic concepts through their farms, which became vital conduits for disseminating agricultural practices and culture.

Order of Cistercians in Portugal

In 1139, D. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, granted João Círita, who would later become Master of the Monastery of São João Baptista of Tarouca, a license to build a Monastery of the Order of Cistercians in Portugal.

During the conquest of Santarém, which concluded in 1147, D. Afonso Henriques dispatched D. Pedro Afonso to France to request intervention from Bernardo de Claraval in Rome to support his claim to the Portuguese crown.

Bernardo of Claraval, a pivotal figure as a Cistercian, played a crucial role at the time.

Studies emphasize Bernardo de Claraval’s intervention in Rome as pivotal to Portugal’s independence.

Historical records raise doubts regarding whether D. Pedro Afonso was D. Afonso Henriques’ half-brother or his illegitimate son.

During the visit to Claraval, it was decided to donate lands to the Order of Císter, where the Monastery of Alcobaça stands today.

The subsequent conquest of Santarém facilitated the construction of the Abbey in Alcobaça, situated 60 km northwest of Santarém.

Afonso Henriques liberated Portugal from the Moors from north to south.

Consequently, following the conquest of Santarém, D. Afonso Henriques continued his southern expansion to secure more territories, underscoring the monks’ crucial involvement in the newly acquired lands of Alcobaça.

Construction of the Alcobaça Monastery

The donation of land to the Order dates back to 1147, shortly after the conquest of Santarém.

Construction of the provisional church commenced in 1152, followed by D. Afonso Henriques formalizing the land assignment to the Cistercian Order in 1153.

The current building’s construction began in 1178, with 1222 marking its completion.

Comparing Alcobaça Monastery with Claraval Abbey, one can observe that the Portuguese monument is a descendant of the French one, showcasing numerous similarities.

This introductory text on the Monastery of Alcobaça aims to whet your appetite for a visit to this magnificent monument.

Would you like to delve deeper into this subject? Join me for one of my Private Tours.

Carpe diem

David Monteiro