A Viral Myth Takes Shape
A narrow door at the Alcobaça Monastery’s refectory has been widely shared online as an “anti-gluttony door.” The story claims that monks had to pass through it to get their food, and those who were too large would go hungry. A 2014 image of a man appearing unable to fit through the door helped popularize the claim.
The Real Purpose of the Door
In reality, the passage is 50 cm (1.6 ft) wide, not 32 cm as often claimed. It was not an entrance for monks but a serving hatch used to pass dishes from the kitchen to the dining hall. The monastery’s official visitor guide acknowledges the legend but clarifies the door’s true function.
A Story That Persisted for Centuries
The myth may predate the internet, likely spread by tour guides. Monks have long been the subject of satirical tales about indulgence, despite the Cistercian order’s strict diet. Even if a monk had gained weight, simpler methods than designing a special door would have been used to regulate his food intake.
A narrow door at the Alcobaça Monastery’s refectory has been widely shared online as an "anti-gluttony door." The story claims that monks had to pass through it to get their food, and those who were too large would go hungry.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/Xwmfxg2Xpk
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