Hello Amigos and Amigas🫡

Good to see you after a while in Portugal🇵🇹 Today I'm taking you to Alcobaça👌

Before that - if you want to go anywhere in Portugal contact me on Instagram (MillionPlacesOneWorld), here or on my e-mail([email protected]).

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Now, let's explore this part of Portugal🤎

Alcobaça is a city located in district of Leiria with approximately 18,000 residents.
Municipality is 408.14 square km and a population of 54,973, making it the second most populous municipality in the West region of Portugal.

Alcobaça lies in the valleys of the Rivers Alcoa and Baça, which according to some authors is the origin of its name. It has also been suggested that it was the Arabic name of the place which was split to name the two rivers.

The city was granted its status in 1995 and is renowned for the Royal Abbey of the Alcobaça Monastery, a significant draw for tourists.

The municipality comprises 13 parishes and is surrounded by Marinha Grande to the north, Leiria, Porto de Mós, and Rio Maior to the east, Caldas da Rainha to the southwest, and Nazaré to the west. Notably, Nazaré is enclosed by Alcobaça on land.

Alcobaça features two segments of Atlantic coastline, located in the northwest and southwest. The area includes several towns such as Benedita, São Martinho do Porto, Alfeizerão, Cela, Pataias, and Aljubarrota.

The region boasts a diverse landscape of residential areas, agricultural fields, bushes, and forests, with a population density higher than the national average.

A prime spot for panoramic views of the city and its surrounding fields is the hill with the ruined castle. Another great viewpoint is the churchyard of Capelinha de Santa Rita in the Serra do Monte in Coz.

Alcobaça is about 100 kilometers north of Lisbon and 90 kilometers south of Coimbra, making it accessible from two of Portugal's major cities.

Alcobaça's economy is driven by several key activities, including fruit cultivation—particularly Maçã de Alcobaça and Pêra-rocha do Oeste—pig farming, and the production of red clay pottery, and glassware. The plastic mold industry, cement manufacturing, and tourism are also vital.

A traditional dish from Alcobaça is chicken na púcara, a stew featuring chicken pieces in a special sauce, served with white rice and French fries.

For desserts, the region is known for bundles of eggs, delicacies from Frei João, and egg pudding from the Alcobaça monastery.

INTERESTING FACTS:

The Alcobaça Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was founded in 1153 by the first Portuguese king, Afonso I. It is one of the best examples of Cistercian Gothic architecture in Europe and houses the tombs of King Pedro I and his beloved Inês de Castro, whose tragic love story is legendary in Portuguese history.

The region around Alcobaça is famous for its wine production, particularly the local red wine known as "Vinho de Alcobaça." The fertile soils and favorable climate contribute to the high quality of the wines produced here.

Average price for real estate. For buying 2000 euros per square meter, what is a steal for what this place has to offer and long term rent - 11 euros per square meter.

I hope you will enjoy this episode and see you next time!!!🫡

Tchau!!!

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