08.00 am Departure to Tomar Way out from the top of Parque Eduardo VII, Lisbon
10.00 am Alcobaça arrival. Abbey of St. Mary of Alcobaça visit
The Abadia de Santa Maria de Alcobaça (Abbey of St. Mary of Alcobaça), acknowledged as "World Cultural Heritage" by UNESCO, is one the most important European Cistercian Abbeys, considering its state of preservation and architecture, a Cister symbol. Founded in 1153 as a gift of King Afonso Henriques to Bernard de Clairvaux, the works on today's Abbey started only in 1178. The construction of the church, initiated as usually by the chancel, with three naves of the same height, the transept with two naves and the ambulatory, form an ensemble which touches one deeply due to its simplicity, greatness and austerity. This is the major and first great work of the primitive Portuguese Gothic, then substantially expanded and enriched by successive royal grants. In 1308, King Dinis had the Claustro do Silêncio (Silent Cloister) built and another floor was added to it during the reign of King Manuel, who had also the so-called Sacristia Manuelina (New Sacristy) built under the architect João de Castilho. The great spatial changes started with the Ruling Abbot Cardinal Dom Henrique, by building the Palácio Abacial (Abbey Palace) in the extreme north of the north wing and the Claustro do Cardeal (Cardinal's Cloister); later on, in the 17th century, the construction of the Hospedaria (Guest-House), the original Sala dos Reis (King's Hall) and the Noviciado (Novitiate). Remarkable is also the Relicário (Reliquary) and the Altar da Morte de São Bernardo (Altar consecrated to the Death of St. Bernard), made in terracotta, of the late-17th century, as well as the great kitchen of the 18th century. The neo-Gothic Sala dos Túmulos (Tombs' Hall) keeps the tombs of several queens and princes. In the south and north wings of the transept of the church lie two of the most beautiful examples of the 14th century sepulchral architecture: the King Peter and Dona Inês de Castro's tombs.
12.00 am Alcobaça departure
01.30 pm Lunch at "Aldeia de Santo Antão" restaurant
03.00 pm Departure to Óbidos panoramic view
Óbidos: Once the wedding present of a queen, the preserved medieval town of Óbidos lying 100 km north of Lisbon is without doubt one of Portugal's most classic walled settlements. Walking the ramparts, visitors can enjoy views of windmills, vineyards and surrounding farmlands. In the residential area below, narrow cobblestone streets are lined with whitewashed houses sporting terracotta roofs. The shops are piled high with local handicrafts, while in spring the town is ablaze with geraniums, morning glories and bougainvillaea.
05.00 pm HEP 2005 Conference and dinner at Mafra Convent
Mafra Convent: Built by command of Dom John V, the Mafra Convent is the most important monument of the Portuguese Baroque. The architectural ensemble develops symmetrically from a central axis, the Basilica, acting as the central point of a lengthy façade flanked by two turrets; at the rear of the Basilica, the monastery of the Ordem de São Francisco da Província da Arrábida (the Franciscan monks of Arrábida Order) stands. A German goldsmith, João Frederico Ludovice, who studied architecture in Italy, was commissioned to lead the works. He adopted a classical Baroque model, inspired by the papal Rome, showing the influence of Bernini and Borromini elements, namely in the towers, and also some German flavour. The works started in 1717, when the first stone was laid and, on October 22nd, 1730, the king's 41st birthday, the Basilica was solemnly consecrated.
The Palace-Convent possesses one of the most important Portuguese libraries, with some 40,000 volumes, and numerous artistic works ordered by the monarch from Portugal, France, Flanders (the two carillons with 92 bells) and in Italy. Inácio de Oliveira Bernardes, Masucci Giaquinto, Lironi or Ludovisi are some of the masters that took part in this "joanine" workshop. During the reign of Dom José (18th century) the Mafra School of Sculpture was even founded, led by the Italian master Alessandro Giuti, which produced such important sculptors as Machado de Castro.
In King John VI's reign the Palace was inhabited for a complete year in 1807 before the Court's departure to Brazil. A decorative refurbishing in some of the most important rooms, took place then, after the projects made by well-known artists such as Ciryllo Wolkmar Machado, Domingos Sequeira or Vieira Lusitano. Most of the time, however, the Palace-Convent was only sporadically visited by the royal family and the same occurred after the Court's return to Portugal. It was from this Palace that the last king of Portugal, Dom Manuel II, left for exile on October 5th, 1910, following the proclamation of the Republic.
11.00>pm Return to Lisbon to the departure place. Arrival at 12.00 pm
EPS07 Machester
HEP2003 Aachen
