Batalha - Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória 
The abbey at Batalha, one of the largest and most important in Portugal, is protected by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage building.
Origins
Batalha Abbey, the Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória, on the north side of town, was founded in 1388 by King Jao I in fulfilllment of a vow he had made on August 14th 1385, at the beginning of the battle of Aljubarrota, in which he defeated King Juan I of Castile and re-established Portuguese independence.
Origins
Batalha Abbey, the Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória, on the north side of town, was founded in 1388 by King Jao I in fulfilllment of a vow he had made on August 14th 1385, at the beginning of the battle of Aljubarrota, in which he defeated King Juan I of Castile and re-established Portuguese independence.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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Hence the name "Battle Abbey", or Mosteiro da Batalha as it is usually called.
History
The Abbey's first architect, who was responsible for the overall plan, was Afonso Domingues who by the time of his death in 1402 had completed the church choir and nave, the Claustro Real and some of the other monastery buildings. His successor was David Houet (or Huguet or Huet) under whose direction until 1438 the church was finished and the Capella do Fundador built. He then started on what were later to be known as the unfinished chapels, the Capelas Imperfeitas. The work on these and the second cloister was continued by Martin Vásquez (d. before 1448) and Fernao de Évora (d. 1477). After a pause in activity building was resumed, with the vestibule between the choir and the unfinished chapels, under King Manuel I by Mateus Fernandes the Elder (d. 1515) and Mateus Fernandes the Younger (d. 1528). This period also saw the sculptor Diogo Boytaca (d. C. 1525) carry out much of the magnificent decoration that graces the abbey buildings. The last of the major architects to be involved in building Batalha Abbey was Joao de Castilho, creator of the the Hieronymite convent at Belém (see Lisbon). 1533 saw the last of the works carried out on the building.
Batalha Abbey sufferred to some extent in the 1755 earthquake, but was far more badly damaged by French troops in 1810. The Dominican monastery was dissolved in 1834 and in 1840 it was declared a national monument. Subsequently carefully restored this great memorial to the liberation of the Portuguese people is in excellent condition today.
History
The Abbey's first architect, who was responsible for the overall plan, was Afonso Domingues who by the time of his death in 1402 had completed the church choir and nave, the Claustro Real and some of the other monastery buildings. His successor was David Houet (or Huguet or Huet) under whose direction until 1438 the church was finished and the Capella do Fundador built. He then started on what were later to be known as the unfinished chapels, the Capelas Imperfeitas. The work on these and the second cloister was continued by Martin Vásquez (d. before 1448) and Fernao de Évora (d. 1477). After a pause in activity building was resumed, with the vestibule between the choir and the unfinished chapels, under King Manuel I by Mateus Fernandes the Elder (d. 1515) and Mateus Fernandes the Younger (d. 1528). This period also saw the sculptor Diogo Boytaca (d. C. 1525) carry out much of the magnificent decoration that graces the abbey buildings. The last of the major architects to be involved in building Batalha Abbey was Joao de Castilho, creator of the the Hieronymite convent at Belém (see Lisbon). 1533 saw the last of the works carried out on the building.
Batalha Abbey sufferred to some extent in the 1755 earthquake, but was far more badly damaged by French troops in 1810. The Dominican monastery was dissolved in 1834 and in 1840 it was declared a national monument. Subsequently carefully restored this great memorial to the liberation of the Portuguese people is in excellent condition today.
Things to See
Abbey Church
The church, built during the reign of Joao I, is a finely conceived example of the noblest Gothic style. Particularly notable are the west front with its rich sculptural decoration (partly restored) and the lively articulation of the south side.
The interior (80m/260ft long, 32.5m/107ft high) is very impressive, with its high stained glass windows (some of them very old, particularly in the choir) and its massive piers. Set in the floor immediately inside the main entrance is the flat tombstone of Mateus Fernandes the Elder.
From the south aisle a magnificent doorway leads into the Founder's Chapel (Capela do Fundador), almost 20m/65ft square, with many fine tombs. In the middle is the sarcophagus, supported on eight lions, of Joao I (d. 1433) and his English wife Philippa of Lancaster (d. 1416). In recesses on the south side of the chapel are the tombs of four of the royal couple's children: at the left-hand end the tomb of the Infante Dom Fernando, the "steadfast prince" of Calderon's tragedy, who died in Moroccan captivity in 1443; next to this the double tomb of the Infante Joao (d. 1442) and his wife Isabella; and the tombs of the Infante Dom Henrique (1394-1460; see Famous People), known to history as Henry the Navigator, although he himself never took part in any voyages of discovery, and the Infante Dom Pedro (1392-1449). On the west wall of the chapel are the tombs of King Afonso V (d. 1481) and his wife, and King Joao II (d. 1495) and his son Afonso.
The interior (80m/260ft long, 32.5m/107ft high) is very impressive, with its high stained glass windows (some of them very old, particularly in the choir) and its massive piers. Set in the floor immediately inside the main entrance is the flat tombstone of Mateus Fernandes the Elder.
From the south aisle a magnificent doorway leads into the Founder's Chapel (Capela do Fundador), almost 20m/65ft square, with many fine tombs. In the middle is the sarcophagus, supported on eight lions, of Joao I (d. 1433) and his English wife Philippa of Lancaster (d. 1416). In recesses on the south side of the chapel are the tombs of four of the royal couple's children: at the left-hand end the tomb of the Infante Dom Fernando, the "steadfast prince" of Calderon's tragedy, who died in Moroccan captivity in 1443; next to this the double tomb of the Infante Joao (d. 1442) and his wife Isabella; and the tombs of the Infante Dom Henrique (1394-1460; see Famous People), known to history as Henry the Navigator, although he himself never took part in any voyages of discovery, and the Infante Dom Pedro (1392-1449). On the west wall of the chapel are the tombs of King Afonso V (d. 1481) and his wife, and King Joao II (d. 1495) and his son Afonso.
Chapterhouse
The Chapterhouse, on the east side of the Claustro Real, has an imposing doorway and fine stained glass depicting the Passion of Christ. The tomb of two unknown soldiers from the First World War has a permanent guard of honor.
Claustro de Dom Afonso V
A doorway at the northwest corner of the Claustro Real gives access to the Claustro de Dom Afonso V, with simple double windows and a plain pillared gallery (15th C.) on the upper floor. To the east of this cloister is the Claustro de Joao III, destroyed by fire in 1811.
Equestrian Statue
The equestrian statue placed before the southern facade of the church in 1961 is of Nuno Alvares Pereira, Joao I's commander at the battle of Aljubarrota.
Fountain House
In the northwest corner of the Claustro Real is the chapel-like fountain-house, from which there are attractive glimpses of the abbey.
Museum of the Unknown Soldier
The former Refectory, on the west side of the cloister beyond the fountain house, now houses the Museum of the Unknown Soldier, and in the monks' cellar various architectural items are on display together with an exhibition of Portuguese history.
The Museum of the Unknown Solider is a World Heritage Site.
The Museum of the Unknown Solider is a World Heritage Site.
Royal Cloister
On the north side of the Abbey Church is the Royal Cloister, the Claustro Real, a masterpiece of Portuguese Gothic with its richly decorated arcades overlooking a garden-like courtyard. Here can be seen the whole range of Gothic in Portugal, from the simplest and plainest forms to the fantastic profusion of ornament of later periods. The stone tracery is mostly modern. From the cloister there is a fine view of the richly decorated north side of the church.
Unfinished Chapels
The Unfinished Chapels, the Capelas Imperfeitas, were built on to the east end of the church in the reigns of Duarte and Manuel I in the richest Manueline style. Surrounding a central octagon are seven large chapels, one of which contains the tomb of King Duarte (Eduard, son of Joao I) and his wife Eleanor of Aragon. The massive buttresses around the inside of the octagon were designed to support the dome, which was left unfinished. On the west side is a large vestibule, with a magnificent doorway almost 15m/50ft high and above this a gallery opening on to the octagon.
Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória
Largo de Santa Maria da Vitória
2440-109 Batalha
Batalha
Portugal
Largo de Santa Maria da Vitória
2440-109 Batalha
Batalha
Portugal
Hours
April 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
October 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
