| Tips and photos for Batalha vacations and tourism, posted by real travelers and Batalha locals. Batalha Map |
 | Batalha General Tips | Tips 1 - 10 of 26 |  |
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 Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
Visiting Batalha?
Read reviews about Batalha Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
In the FOUNDER'S CHAPEL or CAPELA DO FUNDAFOR, are the tombs of King Joao, his Queen, Philippa of Lancaster and of their younger sons, including their more famous, yet never crowned son, Prince Henry the Navigator. The carved figure of Joao lies peacefully with his hands held.
Above, is the amazing Star Vault of the Founder's Chapel (circa 1434).
Also, in the vast Gothic Interior are exceptionally beautiful stained glass windows.
The Chapel was Built between 1426 and 1434. Leave a Comment
|
The ROYAL CLOISTERS were first built in Gothic style in the late 1380's, but Manueline embellishments were added a century later. Typical Manueline symbols such as flowers of newly discovered lands and seafaring motifs are carved in every arch.
Plaque in the Cloister area reads:
King Joao I Cloister or Claustro de D, Joao I
"The construction was begun in 1386, following the original plan of Afonso Dominiques. It was concluded in 1515, in the Manueline style by Mateus Fernandes Leave a Comment
|
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. Leave a Comment
|
Strangely enough, I think my most favourite part of my visit to Batalha Monestery, is the fascinating UNFINISHED CHAPELS or CAPELAS IMPERFEITAS.
The Chapel was originally meant to house the tombs of the family of King Duarte and his heirs. But he and his Queen Leonor of Aragon are the only ones buried here.
The Chapel is only accessible from the outside. A magnificent Gothic doorway almost 15 metres (50 feet) high with Manueline decoration, accesses the roofless Unfinished Chapel.
Open to the sky, Seven Chapels branch from an octagonal rotunda, divided from each other by carved incomplete pillars, which are decorated in Manueline style and carved in stone. The massive buttresses were designed to support an unfinished dome.
I guess, I was just amazed at the wonderful detail here, especially the Manueline style of decoration and the intriguing story behind why it wasn't finished. It seems construction was abandoned when workers were taken to Lisbon to build Jeronimos Monastery. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Visiting Batalha?
Read reviews about Batalha Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
Situated in the northwestern corner of Claustro Real, the LAVABO, the work of Mateus Fernando, is a thing of beauty and harmony and also another one of my favourite parts of the Monastery. It consists of a fountain and two smaller basins above. This finely sculpted Lavabo was used for ritual washing. Leave a Comment
|
 Batalha - Chapel by salinhoptLeave a Comment
|
 Batalha by salinhoptLeave a Comment
|
 Batalha - Window by salinhoptLeave a Comment
|
 Batalha - Monastery by salinhoptLeave a Comment
|
|
Local Merchants in Batalha
|
