Monuments

Situated on the steep banks of the River Távora, at Quinta do Convento, is a set of buildings displaying architectural features from the 17th and 18th centuries.

These are referred to as the "new monastery", for initially the Order was installed at the site where one can still see the church of São Pedro Velho today.

The Cistercian reform must have been adopted between the late 12th and early 13th century, when the monastery became associated with São João de Tarouca. Although the mediaeval documentation of its archives disappeared in a fire in 1836, it is known that in the 16th century the monks of the small community lived in the company of women, in a state of manifest material and spiritual decadence. It was at that time that this new monastery was built under the auspices of the Autonomous Congregation of Alcobaça, thereby achieving a certain prosperity.

The church has a sober classical façade, with a statue of St. Peter visible in a niche above the pediment. At right angles to the church are various wings enclosing a cloister with a beautiful fountain in its centre.