The Monastery of Batalha is one of the most important Gothic sites in Portugal, classified UNESCO World Heritage. It was built on order of the first king João to materialize a wish which he had made on August 14th, 1385 during the great battle against the Spanish king Juan I of Castile who was considered king of Portugal - the Battle of Aljubarrota. The Portuguese king commanded a less important army but knew the territory much better. João 1 decided to build a convent with a church dedicated to Our Lady of Victory if she granted him the victory.
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Batalha de Aljubarrota |
Mosteiro de Batalha |
The works began in 1388 and lasted until the 16th century. Several architects worked on the construction of this building which is a masterpiece of Gothic and Manuelin style. The church is very grand and elegant, and in the choir there are16th century stained glass windows.
The Founder's chapel is a square room in the centre of which there are the tombs of king João I and his wife as well as those of the "Infantas" and Henrique the Navigator. The room has an octagonal lantern and a beautiful star chapel.
The royal convent is in Gothic and Manuelin style with magnificent ornamental wealth.
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Santa Maria da Vitória na Batalha |
Main Portal |
The cloisters are entered through the sacristy at the end of the north transept and the first building encountered off these is the Chapter House. Nearly 20 metres square the roof is unsupported by any pillar or pier. Master Afonso Domingues, the architect, responsible for both the design and construction, was mocked, as it was considered that the whole thing would collapse at the slightest provocation. The design has been vindicated, for not only has it stood for some six centuries, but it has withstood several earthquakes, including the Great Earthquake of 1755, that damaged some of the rest of the buildings. Previously the tombs of King Afonso V and the Infante Afonso, son of João II, stood here, but now Portugal's unknown warrior of World War I rests here with the perpetual flame and honour guard.
Situated in the northwestern corner of the Claustro Real, the monks' washbasins - the work of Mateus Fernandes - are of a beauty and harmony difficult to describe. It consists of a fountain and two smaller basins above. The whole is bathed in a golden glow seeping through the intricate tracery of the arches around it. On the other side of theconvent is the former dining hall which now shelters a museum dedicated to the soldiers who participated in the 1st World War.
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Capelas Imperfeitas |
Nave and Choir |
Then, you can visit a second convent, on two floors, Gothic style but very bare, then you go out into the street and go into the "Unfinished Chapels". They were ordered by king Duarte to be a royal pantheon. Afterwards, king Manuel had a manuelin style hall built and richly decorated, it is a true masterpiece, then king João III had a Renaissance balcony added.
Open from 09:00 till 17:00 (18:00 in summer).
