Portugal

 Alcobaça is set in the agricultural region of Estramadura, in West central Portugal, in the Leiria district. This town of about 5,000 is named for the rivers that meet there, the Alcoa and the Baça rivers.

This is a region known for its fruit, wine, and the production of a cherry liqueur known as gaginha, as well as for the predominantly blue pottery of the region.

A must-see tourist attraction in Alcobaça is the Abbey of Santa Maria, where the early kings of Portugal are buried.

Abbey of Santa Maria

Founded in 1153 and completed in 1223 to commemorate a victory against the Moors, the Abbey of Santa Maria is is Portugal's largest church, and an outstanding architectural monument.

Alcobaça became the center for the Cistercians during the Middle Ages and they held enormous influence over politics, finances, and education at that time.

"Alcobaça." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 5 Mar. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.