We were in the middle of the 14th century, when D. Pedro, Prince Heir to the Portuguese Throne, and D.ª Inês de Castro, Castilian maid of Princess Consort D. Constança, gave in to the passion that united them.

Defying the rules and social precepts of the time, the two lovers met secretly in the gardens of Quinta das Lágrimas and would continue to attend after Pedro's widowhood.

This relationship, strongly disapproved and condemned by the people and the court, would come to an abrupt end in 1355, when by order of King Afonso IV, D. Inês is beheaded.

Legend has it that in the place where Inês was killed, a fountain sprouted whose waters stem from her tears and the blood of her body would forever stain the stones of the fountain. Even today, in the Fonte das Lágrimas there is a strange stain of red algae on the rock.

Mad with pain, and after having assumed the King's crown in Portugal in 1357, Pedro ordered the arrest and death of Inês's murderers, tearing their hearts out himself.

Swearing that he had secretly married Inês de Castro, D. Pedro imposed his recognition as queen of Portugal, and had two magnificent tombs built at the Monastery Real de Alcobaça, so that he could rest forever beside his eternal beloved.