Story – Haiku 2024 #ThursdayDoors

Posted bySuzette BenjaminPosted inPoetryTags:
**FEATURED DOORS, Entrance Gate, The Monastery Church Alcobaca, Portugal. Image credit: Achim Schneider | istockphoto

facade first fruits

still standing telling their story

carrying a rose

**

The Monastery Church in Alcobaca, Portugal, stands as the earliest example of Gothic architecture in the country. It was constructed as a pledge fulfilled by the King of Portugal, who vowed to build a church if certain lost lands were reclaimed.

True to his word after his victory in 1147, the King of Portugal ordered the Monastery Church in Alcobaca’s construction in 1152. Construction lasted 200 years.

Although other sections have been remodeled multiple times, the original Gothic facade remains intact including the doorway within which this week’s featured doors reside.

The featured wood doors are not original. They date to the late 19th century and are flanked by life-sized sculptures of patrons of the Abbey.

The Monastery Church Alcobaca, Portugal, (door closeup is below)

The Monastery Church Alcobaca, Portugal, Image credit: © Znm | Dreamstime

Above the door is the last remaining original rose window from The Abbey’s 13th-century construction.

Wider angle images are below:

The Monastery Church, Alcobaca, Portugal. Image credit: © Saiko3p | Dreamstime

The Monastery Church, Alcobaca, Portugal. Image credit: Marina Branquinho | istockphoto

Trivia #1:

The true story of forbidden love and its connection to the Monastery Church Alcobaca Portugal.

The true love story of Inês de Castro and King Peter of Portugal (1340s and ‘50s,) is a story of forbidden love and political intrigue.

Inês, a lady-in-waiting to Peter’s wife, Constance, captured the heart of the Portuguese prince (Peter). Despite being married, Peter’s love for Inês grew stronger, leading to a secret affair, and —following his wife Constance’s death—Inês bore Peter three children.

Their relationship faced opposition from the royal court and Peter’s father, King Afonso IV, who feared it would undermine the kingdom’s stability and the royal succession bloodline. Therefore King Afonso IV ordered Inês’s assassination in 1355.

Despite Peter’s unbearable grief, he ascended the throne upon his father King Afonso IV’s passing in 1357, and ruled Portugal until he died in 1367.

Peter commanded upon his death that his love Inês, whom, as the story goes, he had legally married in secret long before her passing, be buried alongside him.

A few years after Peter died, Inês was exhumed, crowned Queen posthumously, (according to some legends), and her tomb laid to rest facing Peter’s tomb at The Monastery Church, Alcobaca, Portugal.

On their respective tombs, the tombs themselves elaborate works of art, the following motto is engraved “Until the end of the world…”

Trivia# 2: Inês’ life story and the manner of her passing sparked scores of operas and literary adaptations including Ezra Pound‘s Canto III.

And for more #ThursdayDoors

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ThursdayDoors
In Primo piano
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Published by Suzette Benjamin

Positive thinker, inspirational, writer, faith

49 thoughts on “Story – Haiku 2024 #ThursdayDoors”

  1. Pingback: Story – Haiku 2024 #ThursdayDoors | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  3. What a magnificent building and the light sandstone looks beautiful in the sun. The doors (I had to squint a bit) look amazing as far as I can see. Great post.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. What a magnificent church, but such a sad story, Suzette. At least they’re finally together. I am surprised the rose window has survived all this time. It must take a beating from the weather.

    Thanks for promoting both challenges

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Beautiful architecture

    just amazing what the reclaiming of land can engender

    the love story is heartbreaking. For a monarchy to survive, royal rules can be so cruel and uncompromising. Devastating for the children and the royal lover.

    Ive seen bedroom furniture with the same style of doors hinged to wardrobes and closets. They were quite popular back in the day.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, you are right the land was reclaimed and donated to the building of the church back then. And some of that land in recent years has been give back for public use.

      Yes, heartbreaking sadness indeed. I could not imagine!

      You are right! That furtniture style or similar did feature on the island where I grew up. Now that you mention it. Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Its encouraging to read how peacefully folk can go about in managing reclaimed land.

        Restrictive time to love and bear children indeed.

        Yes the style is quite simple and easy to replicate.
        You are most welcome

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Yes that’s exactly what it is suppose to do. Sometimes it is wrought with so much conflict in the end all the efforts are not worth it.
        Thank you Poet, wishing you a blessed Thursday

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Love the architecture of church and its magnificent door, but what I liked most is the tragic love story. I think the story might have inspired some film-makers.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, Kaushal I believe the story inspired many different films in Portugal and historical fiction books in Europe.
      Glad you found value in the sharing Kaushal. Always a pleasure. Namaste.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. The wider views take my breath away — what an enormous place! That church definitely looks as though it would have required 200 years to be built. Wonderful that that rose window has been preserved. The love story is both sad and a bit gruesome. Exhumed and crowned? Something tells me Ines was not at her best for her own coronation. But, as legends go, a memorable ending. Beautiful photos, as always!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, Maureen, the wider angles are grand portraits of the Abbey. It’s pretty amazing what the builders accomplished and the great upkeep/remodeling that has been done over the centuries.
      Point well taken about the details of the story of Ines and Peter.
      Thank you. Blessings and peace to you.

      Liked by 1 person

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