Friday, March 6, 2015

thumbnail

Alcobaca Monastery: Historical monastery founded by Portuguese first King (Part – 2)

By Asad Russel

After Part – 1
The history of the Alcobaca Monastery:
In 1989 as a World Heritage Site was Designated the Alcobaca Monastery because of the beauty of the materials, with which it was built the care, the size of it and of its architectural style the purity of Cistercian Gothic art make this a masterpiece.

Alcobaca Monastery: Historical monastery founded by Portuguese first King (Part – 2)

At the Alcobaca Monastery what to see:
With later Baroque embellishments is the majestic Cistercian Gothic style of the monastery church the west façade. For the original Gothic church (1178 to 1252) are the part the rose window and the portal, by architect Joao Turriano in the beginning of the 18 century were added while the two flanking towers and the statues. Also are the Baroque additions on either side to the church attached the long wings. With eight flying buttresses there is a Gothic apse in the back of the church.

Alcobaca Monastery: Historical monastery founded by Portuguese first King (Part – 2)

In length stretching 327 feet (106 meters), of Cistercian Gothic architecture is an exquisite example the interior of the church. With austere Cistercian principles in accordance, minimal is the decoration, of the soaring vertical lines allowing maximum appreciation. As the central nave (20 meters) are as tall the side aisles. On transverse arches are supported the ribbed vaults and with engaged columns large pillars. From large Gothic windows flooded with light the apse, with radiating chapels has an ambulatory.

Alcobaca Monastery: Historical monastery founded by Portuguese first King (Part – 2)

To the sacristy a corridor leads from the ambulatory, in the early 16th century built in Manueline style and after the earthquake of 1755 was rebuilt. The earthquake survived the corridor; a splendid lierne vault it has and with a Portuguese coat of arms a richly ornamented Manueline.

Alcobaca Monastery: Historical monastery founded by Portuguese first King (Part – 2)

There is one of the monastery’s main attractions of the church in the transept, of star crossed lovers King Pedro I (from 1320 to 1367) and Ines de Castro (from 1325 to 1355) the Gothic royal tombs. In 1339 to marry the young Constanza of Castille when Pedro was forced they met then, was Ines her lady in waiting, of an aristocrat of Castilian the daughter. With Ines fell in love the Pedro and to Ines to be devoted continued, he had several children with whom.

Alcobaca Monastery: Historical monastery founded by Portuguese first King (Part – 2)

With Ines all his children Pedro recognized and at court the Castilians favored, King Afonso IV the Pedro’s father leading, to his kingdom as a threat to regard her. So had her murdered the king in 1355. Pedro became king two years later after the death of Afonso IV. Immediately declared the King Pedro I that, in Braganca in a secret ceremony he had married Ines, the rightful queen making her. Then took the gruesome revenge the bereaved king, Ines body he exhumed, at court presented the corpse and to her decomposed hand to pay homage all his courtiers ordered, according to the legend.

Alcobaca Monastery: Historical monastery founded by Portuguese first King (Part – 2)

For his beloved and for himself marble tombs Kind Pedro I commissioned, each other facing so that will be of each other their first sight on Judgment Day. From the 14th century Portugal are the greatest pieces of sculpture their sarcophagi though damaged.

Alcobaca Monastery: Historical monastery founded by Portuguese first King (Part – 2)

In the Alcobaca Monastery there are also Royal Pantheon, tombs of Queen Urraca of Castile (died in 1220, King Afonso II’s wife) and Queen Beatrix of Castile (died in 1303, King Afonso III’s wife), Cloister of Silence which built in the 13 century during the time of King Dinis I, the chapter house, the monks dormitory, the scriptorium and the monastic kitchen which you can explore during the visit of this monastery.
  

Subscribe by Email

Follow Updates Articles from This Blog via Email

No Comments