Stunning….quite stunning. The Monastery of Alcobaca is one of those man-made places that you have to see and experience. Alcobaca (pronounced Alcobasa) is what your romantic mind pictures a cathedral or monastery to be. The monastery was first established in 1153 by the first Portuguese King, Afonso Henriques, and would develop into a close association with the Portuguese monarchy throughout its seven centuries. The monastery is located in the town of Alcobaca and is roughly 75 miles north of Lisbon. The church and monastery were the first Gothic buildings in Portugal, and it took several centuries to be piecemealed together. When you tour it, the architecture continuously changes and you can’t quite keep up with all the history…it just keeps going on and on. Bring your camera because the outside and inside views are just fantastic. When outside, go up the stairs to the main church and just be in awe at those big dang doors. As you walk through them, you are covered in dim light and the temperature drops about 20 degrees. It’s so refreshing to do it on a scorching day exploring the town and monastery. If you can, grab a table under the trees at one of the many outdoor cafés surrounding the joint. It’s easy to down a cold drink and to gaze at the monastery from a little distance. There’s too much to talk about so let’s discuss this coolio bracelet. This piece was made to look like Alcobaca in both texture and colors with Picture Jasper, Crocodile Wood and Dyed Wood. I also wanted to add a few pieces that reflect some of the religious and cultural significance of the place such as the Brass Beads and Antique Crucifix. The Two Bone Mala Skulls are a shoutout to the Alfonso Kings whose history you’ll have to read about somewhere else. The unusual Bone Skull that I managed to squeeze inside the vintage brass pendant is an homage to the many monks who have meditated there and who have looked over the place for donkey’s years…and now we get to enjoy it! There’s a quiet, subtle little rattle of the skull inside the brass pendant when your wrist moves which adds to the uniqueness of this piece. This is a head-turning bracelet that will elicit lots of questions from those who see it on your wrist. It looks and feels like an historic piece which was the whole dang point of making it. Alcobaca or bust!