01/02/2017 - Tomar

We spent the last night in a large parking lot in Alcobaca. Early in the morning, around 5:30 am, things got very busy outside. When we looked out the window, it seemed like a vegetable market was being set up around us. :-) We had the idea that we would be stuck in the middle and wouldn't be able to get out. So we quickly got dressed and took action. However, it turned out that only the large market hall on the edge of the square was being used.

After a hearty breakfast, we visited the Cistercian Abbey, one of the most important buildings in Portugal. However, we could only see it from the outside and the monastery church, as it was not yet time for visits.

We continued our journey to Batalha to see what is supposedly the most beautiful church in Portugal. It is indeed huge, but we have seen prettier churches.

On the way to Fatima, a pilgrimage site, we visited a large stalactite cave. It was super beautiful, but unfortunately we weren't allowed to take photos there (only two secret ones :-))

Today seems to be a day of church visits. The basilica and its surroundings, as well as a round church building in Fatima, were overwhelming. In front of the basilica there is a 150,000 square meter square. Many sick people visit the place in the hope of healing. Candles are lit in abundance, and they are placed so close together that a large fire, in a building specifically built for this purpose, is created. We didn't particularly like the whole thing, so we soon continued on to Tomar and had seen enough for today.

The weather is quite bad, strong cold wind at 12 degrees and some rain. That makes it a little easier for us to say goodbye to Portugal. :-)