Monastery of Alcobaça

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Monastery of Alcobaça from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• Historical lime‐based flooring mortars from the Church of Santa Maria de Alcobaça monastery (12th century), Portugal: A multi‐analytical approach

  A multi-analytical study of historical lime-based mortars from the 12th-century Church of Santa Maria de Alcobaça reveals consistent mineralogical characteristics and aggregate properties across samples, despite compositional variations. These findings suggest a shared historical origin linked to local geology, providing insights into the construction practices and materials used in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The research employed advanced techniques such as X-ray fluorescence, diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, optical microscopy, and colorimetry to analyze 21 mortar samples preserved on ceramic tiles removed during rehabilitation.

  Carvalho, F., Nunes, A., Pagará, A., Costeira, I., da Silva, T. P., Lima, M. M. R. A., & Veiga, J. P. (2024). Historical lime‐based flooring mortars from the Church of Santa Maria de Alcobaça monastery (12th century), Portugal: A multi‐analytical approach. Archaeometry, 66(6), 1177–1190. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/arcm.12971

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• Filling the gap: new approaches to medieval bookbinding studies

  A novel digital tool for recording and comparing medieval bookbinding features has been developed, addressing a gap in the field where such studies lag behind other aspects of manuscript research. This innovative method, applied to codices from the Monastery of Alcobaça, combines a multilanguage glossary with a structured, table-based approach to document book structures (bookblock, sewing, endbands, supports, boards, covering, fastening, and furnishing elements) alongside material analysis. Preliminary case studies demonstrate its potential for enhancing comparative research, enabling broader insights into medieval bookbinding practices.

  Tourais, A., Casanova, C., & Barreira, C. F. (2022). Filling the gap: new approaches to medieval bookbinding studies. Journal of Medieval Iberian Studies, 14(1), 109–126. https://doi.org/10.1080/17546559.2021.2021589

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• Narrating codex history: the case study of a psalter-hymnal from Alcobaça Monastery, Portugal

  A twelfth-century psalter-hymnal from Alcobaça Monastery, Portugal, has been confirmed as originating from the monastery's scriptorium through multidisciplinary analysis. This study, combining textual, liturgical, codicological, and material composition analyses, traced the manuscript's historical trajectory, revealing successive additions and interventions that underscore its significant role in the Cistercian monastery during the Middle Ages and beyond. The findings highlight the monks' intensive use of this precious codex and their meticulous care in preserving it, providing crucial insights for future digital access policies and conservation efforts.

  Casanova, C., Rodrigues, S. A., Barreira, C. F., Miguel, C., Quilhó, T., & Tourais, A. S. (2022). Narrating codex history: the case study of a psalter-hymnal from Alcobaça Monastery, Portugal. Journal of Medieval Iberian Studies, 14(1), 127–141. https://doi.org/10.1080/17546559.2021.2021590

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• Para o estudo de um direito senhorial nas terras medievais de Alcobaça: o montado dos porco

  A significant manorial right, the 'montado dos porco,' emerged in medieval Alcobaça, Portugal, as a tax on pig grazing in monastery-owned forests during the 'montanheira' season (September to January). This practice, initially absent from early charters, was formalized by the 14th century and sparked prolonged conflicts with local communities. The study reveals that these disputes were resolved only through revised charters in the 16th century, highlighting the dynamic evolution of feudal rights and their societal impact. By analyzing historical documents and legal texts, the research reconstructs this lesser-known aspect of medieval land tenure, offering insights into the intersection of economic practices, power dynamics, and community resistance during this period.

  Gonçalves, I. (2017). Para o estudo de um direito senhorial nas terras medievais de Alcobaça: o montado dos porco. Medievalista Online, 22. https://doi.org/10.4000/medievalista.1310

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• Sources of theNotabilia(1427), a medieval handwritten grammatical treatise from the Portuguese monastery of Alcobaça

  A significant medieval Latin-Portuguese grammatical treatise, known as the Notabilia (1427), has been identified within the Cistercian Monastery of Alcobaça's collection, housed in the Portuguese National Library. This elaborate manuscript, comprising 31 chapters and potentially copied by two scribes, remains unpublished despite its complexity and historical importance. The study reveals that the Notabilia draws from multiple influential sources, including Donatus (mid-4th century), Priscian (late 5th to early 6th century), Alexander of Villa Dei (c.1170–c.1250), Giovanni Balbi de Genova (fl.1286–1298), and two pre-modist grammarians, Petrus Helias (c.1100–post-1166) and Robert Kilwardby (c.1215–1279). The treatise may also reference lesser-known works such as the Catalan-Aragonese grammaticae proverbiandi or Giovanni da Soncino's Italian Notabilia. This analysis sheds light on the intellectual and linguistic exchanges of the time, particularly within monastic and academic circles.

  Fernandes, G. (2017). Sources of theNotabilia(1427), a medieval handwritten grammatical treatise from the Portuguese monastery of Alcobaça. Folia Linguistica, 51(s38-s1), 75–89. https://doi.org/10.1515/flih-2017-0003

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• The Cistercian glazed tiles of the Monastery of Alcobaça: characterization of the colour palette

  A rare medieval color palette was identified in the glazed tiles of Alcobaça Monastery, representing some of the earliest examples of tin-opacified glazes in Christian Portugal. The study found that the variety of colors—white, turquoise, brown, and shades of green—arose from different proportions of CuO, Fe2O3, and SnO2 within a lead-glazed matrix, combined with a K-feldspar-rich slip layer. This technology reflects a fusion of Cistercian traditions and Islamic tin-glazing techniques introduced to the Iberian Peninsula in the 10th century. Analytical methods including µ-PIXE, µ-Raman spectroscopy, and optical microscopy were used to characterize the tiles' chemical composition, providing insights into their historical significance.

  Carvalho, F., Coentro, S., Costeira, I., Trindade, R. A. A., Alves, L. C., da Silva, R. C., & Muralha, V. S. F. (2016). The Cistercian glazed tiles of the Monastery of Alcobaça: characterization of the colour palette. Journal of Medieval Iberian Studies, 8(2), 196–216. https://doi.org/10.1080/17546559.2016.1222447

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• Application of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to polychrome terracotta sculptures from the Alcobaça Monastery, Portugal

  Researchers used portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF) to analyze polychrome terracotta sculptures from the Alcobaça Monastery, revealing that these 17th-century artworks underwent at least two subsequent interventions: a likely 19th-century refurbishment and an 18th-century repolychroming. By comparing elemental compositions across statues, the study provided the first material characterization of the coatings, offering new insights into their conservation history. The findings highlight the potential of EDXRF for non-invasive analysis of layered chromatic materials in cultural heritage.

  Le Gac, A., Pessanha, S., & Carvalho, M. L. d. (2014). Application of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to polychrome terracotta sculptures from the Alcobaça Monastery, Portugal. Conservar Património, 20, 35–51. https://doi.org/10.14568/cp2014008

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• Combining SERS and microspectrofluorimetry with historically accurate reconstructions for the characterization of lac dye paints in medieval manuscript illuminations

  Researchers successfully identified lac dye paints in medieval manuscript illuminations using innovative spectroscopic techniques, revealing their molecular composition and formulation. By combining surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with microspectrofluorimetry, the study provided a conclusive fingerprint of lac dye while offering insights into additional paint components like binders and fillers. Historically accurate reconstructions of lac dye paints, prepared according to medieval recipes, served as reference materials to enhance the interpretation of spectroscopic results. This multi-analytical approach, including Raman microscopy and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, established a robust database for studying complex medieval dyes, advancing our understanding of their use in art and conservation.

  Castro, R., Pozzi, F., Leona, M., & Melo, M. J. (2014). Combining SERS and microspectrofluorimetry with historically accurate reconstructions for the characterization of lac dye paints in medieval manuscript illuminations. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 45(11-12), 1172–1179. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrs.4608

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• Micro‐Raman study of Medieval Cistercian 12–13th century manuscripts: Santa Maria de Alcobaça, Portugal

  A Micro-Raman study of 12–13th century manuscripts from the Monastery of Alcobaça, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Cistercian monastery founded in 1153, reveals distinct medieval color palettes characterized by consistent use of pink (vermilion or organic red mixed with lead white) and grey (carbon-based black pigment with lead white). Lazurite was the primary blue pigment, while azurite appeared only in one manuscript. Green hues were identified as bottle green, likely verdigris, showing signs of degradation. The study also detected darkening in lead white pigments, linked to galena formation and arsenate-based species, suggesting orpiment's role in degradation. Experimental validation confirmed these findings, indicating the presence of a new lead carbonate phase.

  Muralha, V. S. F., Miguel, C., & Melo, M. J. (2012). Micro‐Raman study of Medieval Cistercian 12–13th century manuscripts: Santa Maria de Alcobaça, Portugal. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 43(11), 1737–1746. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrs.4065

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