The unpretentious little town of Batalha (altitude: 70m/230ft), in a fertile basin of the Lena valley between Lisbon and Coimbra, would probably attract scarcely a visitor were it not for its internationally famous Dominican abbey.
Townscape
Nowadays Batalha is well equipped to cater for its visitors. Close to the abbey, around the newly built pousada, there can be found a small shopping center and various cafes, with a permanent market on the square behind the abbey.
Apart from the abbey Batalha also boasts a number of 17th/18th C. houses and the parish church of Santa Cruz (1512), which has a superb doorway.
One of the largest abbeys in Portugal, Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória was established in the 14th C. Highlights include the Gothic church, the Chapterhouse, and the Royal Cloister.
The Grutas da Moedan are near Sao Mamede, 15km/9.25mi southeast of Batalha (via the N356). In these caves, which were discovered by two hunters in 1971, visitors can enter for a distance of 350m/385yd.
Address: Grutas da Moeda, S.Mamede - 2495 Fátima, , Portugal
About 10km/6mi southeast of Porto de Mós lie the Grutas de Alvados. These caves with curiously shaped dripstones and subterranean lakes were discovered in 1964.
Address: Grutas de Alvados, Alvados - 2480 PORTO DE MÓS, , Portugal
The Grutas de Santo Antonio is about 1km/0.75mi away from Mira de Aire. This cave system stretches over an area of 6,000sq.m/1.5 acres; the largest single cave measures 80 by 50m/260 by 160ft and is 43m/140ft high.
Address: Grutas de Santo, 2480 Alvados, , Portugal
On the slopes of an isolated hill above the Rio Lena, 9km/5.5mi south of Batalha Abbey, is Porto de Mós, dominated by a massive castle, the origins of which go back to the ninth century. After recovering the castle from the Moors King Sancho I had it restored, but much of it was again destroyed in the 1755 earthquake. Since then it has been restored on a number of occasions, most recently in 1956. From the castle there are magnificent panoramic views.
Address: Porto de Mós Tourist Office, Jardim Público 2480-300 Porto de Mós, Porto de Mós , Portugal
About 5km/3mi southwest, on the edge of the battlefield of Aljubarrota, the little chapel of Sao Jorge was built on the spot from which Nuno Alvares Pereira directed the conflict. At the entrance to the chapel there still stands a jug of fresh water, originally set there for the thirsty warriors.
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Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória
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Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória, Batalha
Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória, Batalha
Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória, Batalha
Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória, Batalha
Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória, Batalha
Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória, Batalha
Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória, Batalha
