Batalha Things to Do

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Inside the monastery, in the "Capítulo" room, there is the tomb of our unknown soldier, always with a military guard. Close to it, there's a small museum remembering our sad participation in WW1. Not remarkable, but interesting and free to those who entered the cloisters.

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Most people visiting kings chapel, in Batalha, are impressed by the games of light produced by the stained glasses, and risk to dedicate less attention to the tombs.

It's a pity, because they are wonderful, and help to understand the importance in Portuguese history of all the family.

The Founders Chapel was the first Portuguese pantheon, and has in the centre the tombs of king João I and his wife, Filipa de Lencastre, surrounded by many other tombs of the king's sons and their family. Henry, the navigator is one of them, and only Duarte is missing (he is buried in another space in the monastery, maybe the most beautiful - the Unfinished Chapels

In Batalha, people only has eyes to the monastery, however, close to it, the parish church also deserves a look. Built by demand of local people some years after the monastery (maybe they didn't feel at ease in the monastery, or had restrictions to enter), this church also includes Manueline ornaments.

Damaged by Lisbon's earthquake, it was reconstructed higher than its original size.

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Acessible from outside but sharing the ticket, in the back, the Unfinished Chapels are a unique marvel. Dom Duarte, eldest son of João and Filipa de Lencastre, was the second king of Avis dynasty, and comissioned a royal mausoleum in the church that was the family’s masterpiece.

With an octagonal shape, the chapel were never finished, which did not prevent his burial in place.

With the works lasting for centuries, the original design was transformed by Dom Manuel’s architects, and evidence clearly the several styles (Gothic, and Manuelino). One late balcony in Renaissance style, flags the end of the works, already in th 17th century.

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Around Batalha, and in a short distance, there are lots of interesting things to see.

As the monastery only takes a couple of hours to visit, Batalha is generally visited in a larger trip that includes Alcobaça, Fátima and Nazaré. For transport reasons, staying in Leiria is also common.

The splendour of Batalha is a challenge to each one's imagination.

A Canadian couple (hello Klaudia and Joe) used VT to know something about the place, and we ended meeting in Nazare and going there together. They sure enjoyed the cathedral, and Joe surprised me, showing that, no matter how well you know a place, there is always a new angle to explore. I'm expecting to see that photo in VT.

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The Royal cloister was made by Afonso Domingues and Huguet, and it's interesting to observe the coexistence of both styles. In the XVI century manueline elements were added.

From the Cloister you may access the Capitulo room, where is the tomb of the Portuguese unknown soldier. The exit will be through the Afonso V Cloister (unfinished) and the dining room, used as a small museum. Don't forget to enter the unfinishe chapels, a few meters at your right.

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Entering the monastery, at your right, stands the royal chapel, with the tombs of the king Joao I and his family.

A very delicate room, it's a festival of light and fine details, making it a real royal place