Alcobaça and Caldas da Rainha – Cultural Treasures of Portugal

Welcome to Alcobaça and Caldas da Rainha, two cultural gems located in the enchanting West Region of Portugal, united by the spirit of hospitality and a lively artistic atmosphere. Between the two cities, get ready to discover a vast historical and artistic heritage, where every street tells a story and every monument is a work of art. Ceramics have an essential presence in Alcobaça and Caldas da Rainha, simultaneously embracing the uniqueness of their legacy and contemporary traits that shape new artistic narratives. Creatively open to the world, ceramics lovers will find here the ideal destination to discover the rich relationship between handcrafted ceramics workshops and the industrial sector.

In Alcobaça and Caldas da Rainha we also share a love of good food and drink, inviting our visitors to discover new gastronomic experiences, with an emphasis on the region’s fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, meat and sweets, especially those from the convent of Alcobaça.  

We, therefore, welcome all participants to the 51st Congress of the International Academy of Ceramics in September 2024. It is with great joy that we welcome you to Alcobaça and Caldas da Rainha, cities that are keeping their roots alive and preparing for the future with innovation and passion.

Alcobaça: History and Monastic Art

Alcobaça is known worldwide for the Monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobaça, a Gothic masterpiece dating back to the 12th century. This imposing monument bears witness to the forbidden love between King Pedro I and Inês de Castro, whose magnificently carved tombs are considered masterpieces of Portuguese Gothic sculpture. Feel the presence of bygone eras as you walk through the corridors that have witnessed centuries of history, soaking up the serene and majestic atmosphere.

The world of ceramics in Alcobaça has a strong presence through its industry of twenty factories that are recognised nationwide for their economic and heritage dimension. Even today, it has a distinctive and contemporary stylistic mark, with its high-quality production, making it one of the last industrial production centers in the field in Europe.

At the same time, it preserves an important historical and cultural legacy, which has been built up over the last two centuries. In the 40s and 50s of the 20th century, “blue crockery”, made by master ceramic painters, became an essential reference in Portuguese decorative ceramics, and is currently on display at the Raul Bernarda Museum and at the Alcobaça Ceramics Museum in the Pereira de Sampaio Collection.

In addition to its rich history, Alcobaça is blessed with apple orchards that offer fresh and juicy varieties of fruit, certified with IGP – Protected Geographical Indication. Not far away, the stunning shell-shaped Atlantic bay of São Martinho do Porto offers a pleasant seaside experience. You can also discover the rich tradition of winemaking and visit the largest and most complete Portuguese Wine Museum.

Caldas da Rainha: shaped by tradition and innovation 

Caldas da Rainha, known for its more than 500 years of ceramic tradition, is the city where the world’s first Thermal Hospital, founded at the end of the 15th century and still in operation, can be visited. A UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, Caldas has established itself as a centre of innovation through a strong creative identity in the field of design, driven by the School of Arts and Design of the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria. 

In the city, there is a rich relationship between small workshops and industry, which makes it possible to go beyond the traditional boundaries of the relationship between craftsmen and industry.

There’s something for everyone in Caldas da Rainha – just a short walk away you’ll find a wide variety of events and a vibrant cultural life, boosted by numerous cultural institutions and a number of museums dedicated to ceramics, sculpture and painting, such as the Arts Centre, the Ceramics Museum and the museum centre of the Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro Factory. Memorable moments await you, at your own pace, in a relaxed city with a friendly atmosphere and a multicultural environment.