MONASTERY OF SANTA MARIA DA VITORIA
by LoriPori
This Gothic masterpiece MONASTERY OF SANTA MARIA DA VITORIA or Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitoria, is a UNESCO World Heritage monument.
Building began in 1388, after King Joao I made a vow to the Virgin Mary that he would build a magnificent monastery, if she granted him a victory over the Castillians in the Battle of Aljubarrota. Of course, they were victorious as the Monastery was built.
The exterior of the Monastery has innumerable Pinnacles, buttresses and balustrades above Gothic windows. The front Portal is decorated with statues of the twelve apostles in intricate and wonderful Gothic style.
The Monastery took two centuries to build - 1388 - 1517 - during the reign of seven Kings. Construction required an enormous effort, using huge resources of men and materials. New techniques and artisitic styles were used - Rayonnant Gothic - Flamboyant Gothic - English Perpendicular - Manueline style.
Admission is free on Sundays and Holidays until 2:00 p.m.
Free for children up to the age of 14
Closed on January 1, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, May1 and Christmas Day
Batalha Monastery
by salinhopt
In 1385, João I vowed on the plains of Aljubarrota that if his underequipped and outnumbered army defeated the invading Castilians, he would commemorate his spiritual indebtedness to the Virgin Mary. The result is the magnificent Monastery of the Virgin Mary, designed in splendid Gothic and Manueline style.
First Impressions
by acemj
Our first sight of it was from the road driving by and we immediately knew we were in Batalha. I love the vast space that surrounds the cathedral. Often, a cathedral is crowded into a busy corner of a city and it's hard to get a great view of it unless you own your own helicopter! With Bathala's church (which is actually known as the Battle Abbey, or Mosteiro da Batalha), you can walk all around the structure from enough of a distance that you can really appreciate the whole thing in one look before stepping closer to savor the details.
THE EQUESTRIAN STATUE
by LoriPori
An EQUESTRIAN STATUE of Nuno Alvares Perreira, the King's commander at the Battle of Aljubarrota, stands before the southern facade of the monastery. It's the first thing we saw when we began our approach to the magnificent monastery.
Beauty is in the details
by acemj
Marrying Gothic style with Manueline is a dream for me. I have always loved the ornamentation of High Gothic architecture and when it's combined with the flamboyance of Manueline, it is really impressive. The abbey is loaded with incredible carvings, gargoyles, pinnacles, statues, tombs, windows, pillars and flying buttresses. This photo shows some of the detail in the Royal Cloisters.
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Batalha - Portugal
Batalha - Portugal
Batalha - Portugal
Batalha - Portugal
