Alcobaca and Fatima

Leaving our 6E in an honesty box for our overnight stop we travelled north to Alcobaca, Portugal’s largest church.  The church and its Cistercian monastery have been greatly added to over the centuries.   


This church is renowned for its medieval architecture the central nave and lateral aisles both 20m in height coupled with its length of over 100m gives the impression of grandeur. 


 The tombs of Pedro I and his ill fated love Ines de Castro sit facing each other across the central aisle.  



The 18th century fully tiled kitchen with its huge chimney above a spit big enough to roast a whole ox was an amazing site. 


As we were close to Fatima we decided to visit the Shrine and take advantage of the free camping aire in the car park.  The weather had closed in but we still managed to see the great square which is twice as large as St Peter’s in the Vatican.  It was quite busy with pilgrims despite the rain.




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