𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐜 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧

Behold, an 800+ years old monastery. Warning, what I'm about to share is quite tragic.

While I was traveling through Portugal again, I decided to visit Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça, (more commonly known as Mosteiro de Alcobaça), as it was recommended by locals. During my visit, I learned that the tombs inside belonged to royal families, and every visitor was allowed to walk around these tombs. They even had some for infants/children..

So, from my understanding, there was a king that had sent assassins to kill his son's significant other, who had given him 4 grandchildren; one of whom had passed away in their infancy. The son was away. The assassins succeeded and committed their gruesome act while she was holding on to one of her children.

Upon his return, the son of the king found out and went to war with his father, which caused a civil war. His father eventually passed away and he became king. He found two of the assassins and had their hearts ripped out, while still alive, for breaking his heart (this is not an exaggeration).

Now both lovers rest in their tombs, inside the church of the monastery, facing each other toe to toe on opposite sides of the church.

This short reel, and caption, does no justice (no pun intended) to the beauty and how much you can discover while visiting the very first fully Gothic building ever constructed in Portugal. From this tragic lovers' event to a river flowing through the kitchen and more, this place has 873 years of stories.

The church is still used by locals today. I'm still waiting for the HBO / Prime Video / Netflix series about this location.

📍Mosteiro de Alcobaça, Alcobaça, Leiria District, Portugal