The Alcobaça Monastery is a Catholic monastic complex located in the town of Alcobaça, Portugal, 120 km north of Lisbon. It was established in 1153 by the first Portuguese king, Afonso Henriques, and developed a close association with the Portuguese monarchy throughout its history, leading it to become the richest and most influential monastery in Portugal. By 1300, it had a population of almost 1,000 monks and business interests including farming, fishing and trade. It closed in 1834, amid the dissolution of the monasteries in Portugal. Due to its artistic, cultural and historical relevance as one of Portugal's oldest Gothic buildings, the monastery and its church were included in UNESCO's World Heritage Site list in 1989.Photograph credit: Alvesgaspar