BATALHA
The Dominican abbey of Santa Maria da Vitória at Batalha, a UNESCO World
Heritage site, is a masterpiece of Portuguese Gothic architecture famous for
its Manueline elements. The pale limestone monastery celebrates João I’s
1385 victory over Castile at Aljubarrota. Today, two unknown soldiers from
World War I lie in the chapterhouse. The abbey was begun in 1388 under
master builder Afonso Domingues, succeeded in 1402 by David Huguet. Over the
next two centuries successive kings left their mark on the monastery: João’s
son, King Duarte, ordered a royal pantheon behind the apse, and Manueline
additions include the Unfinished Chapels and much of the decoration of the
abbey buildings.
- Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória, Batalha.
- Tel: 244 765 497.
-
from Lisbon, Leiria,
Porto de Mós & Fátima. -
9am–6pm (Oct–Mar: to 5pm)
daily. -
1 Jan, Easter, 1 May, 25
Dec. -
(free 9am–2pm
Sun). -
Batalha
Unfinished Chapels
Begun under King Duarte, the octagonal mausoleum was abandoned by Manuel
I in favour of the Jerónimos monastery in Belém.
Royal Cloister
Gothic arches by Afonso Domingues and David Huguet around the cloister
are embellished by Manueline tracery to achieve a harmony of form and
decoration.
In 1383 Portugal’s direct male line of descent ended with the death of
Fernando I. Dom João, the illegitimate son of Fernando’s father, was
proclaimed king, but his claim was opposed by Juan of Castile. On 14 August
1385 João I’s greatly outnumbered forces, commanded by Nuno Álvares Pereira,
faced the Castilians on a small plateau near Aljubarrota, 15 km (9 miles)
south of Batalha. João’s spectacular victory ensured 200 years of
independence from Spain. The monastery now stands as a symbol of Portuguese
sovereignty and the power of the house of Avis.
