Alcobaca is both a Portuguese City and Municipality based on the Silver Coast in the Oeste region. It is located in the district of Leiria. The city grew and and was developed along the valleys of the Alcoa and Baca Rivers and this is where it’s name is derived from.
It is a large and multifaceted area. The city itself and surrounding areas are steeped in history centred around the Monastery of Alcobaca, part of the Unesco World Heritage Centre.
Alcobaca came to prominence when Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, made a decision to build a church commemorating the Conquest of Santarem in 1147. This church later became the Monastery of Alcobaca and it is to this day considered one of the most resplendent gothic monuments in Portugal.
The monastery owned much of the land and organized village and estates throughout the region. It introduced new techniques and agricultural products, which resulted in this area being one of Portugal’s main fruit producers.
The surrounding areas to the town are beautiful and there is a well developed infrastructure. Within the town you will find a diverse range of architecture, history and development, along with all modern day conveniences.