Just a one hour drive away from your Caracara Holiday Accommodation are these two jewels in Portugal's crown. Entrance is usually free so go along and make a day of it by taking lunch at one of the many pavement cafés and restaurants that are situated locally.   Alcobaça Monastery Portugal's largest church and Europe's greatest Cistercian monastry. Construction was started in 1178 and was finally completed in 1253. Within the next 50 years Alcobaça became the richest and most powerful monastry in all of Portugal. Alcobaça was declared a World Heritage Site in 1985.              This is the tomb of King Pedro 1 whose reign commenced in 1360 but who sadly died very soon after in 1367. His was a story of forbidden love however he maintained his everlasting feelings by ensuring his beloved was entombed in Alcobaça monastery close to him. The carvings depict the life of Saint Bartholomew, his own patron saint. The depiction of the Wheel of Life on the tomb symbolises his own life and love for Inês de Castro.        Batalha Abbey   Batalha's abbey is undoubtedly one of Europe's Gothic masterpieces and is a must see for anyone visiting the area.  In its vast interior are 16th century stained glass windows of exceptional beauty. The magnificent Gothic doorway stands almost 50 feet high.   The horseman depicted on the statue is Nuno Álvarez Pereira, a notable General who was instrumental in assuring Portugal became independent of Castile in 1385. Later in life he turned much more to religion, eventually becoming a carmelite brother known as Friar Nuno of St. Mary. He was beatified in 1918 and canonised in 2009 by Pope Benedict XV      Close by are the underground caves of Mira de Aire  with their many curiously shaped rock formations which you can visit either on the way to these two sites or on the way back.