Alcobaça or the Aquitaine?
Although I love Portugal dearly, I wish it had more rivers. In the seductively long, hot Portuguese summers, in an often parched and arid, ochre and umber tinted land I long for the sound of flowing water and the breath of a cool breeze to kiss the skin and temper the excesses of the sun.
This is why I adore Alcobaça. It has water in its veins in the form of two ribbons which form the rivers Alcoa and the Baça. I offer no prizes for guessing how Alcobaça came by its name, only to mention that for centuries these lifelines have offered rest, recuperation and revitalization to those who have stole the time to stroll and sit upon their banks. Today, there is still the opportunity for artists to meander through this route and ponder pictures and paintings.
Streams wash and bring all sorts, sometime after the great inundation that was Art Nouveau, which flooded through France and the rest of Europe, it settled here between the Gothic, Baroque and early Moorish echoes of old Alcobaça. This is still apparent in the tiny, quaint but elegant streets featuring intricate tiled facades and evocative ironwork which are constant reminders of a French influence.
Another delightful feature of the town is the magnificent Portuguese ceramics on offer.There’s a host of shops facing the square in front of the colossal central sited monastery of Santa Maria. These are crammed to the gunnels with charming ornate typically Portuguese pieces painted in cobalt and ultramarine blues, viridians and emerald greens and the more earthy traditional colours. You are bound to be enthralled by the range, size and scope on offer.
Rich, rustic and sumptuous textiles, often exhibiting typical tessellated and lively floral Portuguese designs will also appeal.
