Charming UNESCO Heritage Route

In the Center of Portugal we have three of the most important Portuguese monuments, classified by UNESCO as World Heritage: The Monastery of Alcobaça, the Monastery of Batalha and the Convent of Christ.

The Monastery of Alcobaça is one of the most well preserved monasteries of the Order of Cister. Classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco since 1989, the Abbey of Santa Maria de Alcobaça was founded in 1153 by the first king of Portugal: Afonso I.

In Tomar, we find the Convent of Christ, founded in 1160, who became the Portuguese headquarters of the Order of the Templars and one of the most important Templar places outside the Holy Land. In 1983, UNESCO declared the Templar Castle and Convent of Christ a World Heritage Site. Originally designed as a symbol of the Reconquista, during the period of the Discoveries it became a symbol of Portugal’s opening to other civilizations.

The Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, also known as the Monastery of Batalha, built to acknowledge Virgin Mary’s role in the victory of the Portuguese in the Battle of Aljubarrota. A masterpiece of Late Gothic, the monastery, founded in 1385, became the official pantheon of the new dynasty reigning in Portugal after the death of King João I. The Monastery of Batalha was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983.