Portugal - Batalha Monastery

PORTUGAL

Mosteiro Santa Maria da Vitória (St. Mary of the Victory), more commonly known as the Batalha Monastery, is a Dominican convent in Batalha, in the District of Leiria, Portugal. The monastery to be built by King João I in gratitude to the Virgin Mary for the Portuguese victory at the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, and would serve as the burial church of the 15th-Century Aviz dynasty of Portuguese royals. The monastery illustrates the history of Portugal and its rich artistic heritage. It is one of the best and original examples of Late Gothic architecture in Portugal, intermingled with the Manueline style, and is protected as a World Heritage monument.

Construction of the monastery took over a century to build. It began in 1386 and continued into the 16th century, spanning the reign of seven kings. The monastery was never actually finished, and one of the most famous parts is the unfinished chapels, commissioned by King Duarte I in 1437. For a building constructed over such a long period of time, it has an amazing unity of vision. The exterior possesses innumerable pinnacles, buttresses and openwork balustrades above Gothic and Flamboyant windows, while the front portal is decorated with statues of the apostles in intricate Gothic style.

Manueline Porch

The main entrance of the Church is the magnificent portal at the West side, with numerous elaborate sculptures. On either side of this portal entrance are sculptures of the twelve apostles standing on consoles. In the center is a tall statue of Christ in Majesty surrounded by Evangelists, frames by six covings and decorated with sculptures of biblical kings and queens, prophets and angels. This set of sculptures is made complete by the crowning of the Virgin Mary.

Backing onto the right hand side of the main doorway is the Founder’s Chapel where King João is buried with his wife, Queen Philippa of Lancaster. Their son Prince Henry the Navigator is also buried here in the family tomb. The majestic interior of the church is of great grandeur and beauty, reminding a cathedral.

King John I Cloisters of Batalha Monastery

Behind the transept at the back of the Church, one reaches the Royal Cloisters, built in the reign of John I. In the Royal Cloisters, you’ll see arches, which were built later, overlooking the garden carved with leaves, flowers, fruit and many symbols used by King Manuel I, including the cross of Christ and the armillary spheres in the typical Manueline style.

Chapter's House: star-vaulted ceiling

A marvellous example of Gothic architecture is the Chapter's House. The Chapter House is famous for its amazing star-vaulted ceiling of eight points with no central support. It’s one of the most daring examples in European Gothic architecture.

Unfinished Chapels (Capelas Imperfeitas)

Behind apse of the Church, you’ll see the Pantheon of King Duarte, more usually known as the Unfinished Chapels extending high above you. Here, there is another example of the Manueline style; a doorway built in a succession of arches and slender columns that are meticulously decorated.

Address:

Largo Infante D. Henrique

2440-109 Batalha, Portugal

Tel: 244 765 497

Directions and getting there:

Flight:

Lisbon International Airport (LIS).

Road:

IC2 Lisbon/Porto (Supplementary Itinerary - Old National Road 1) - exit Batalha
A8 (motorway Lisbon) - Output in Leiria
A1 (motorway Lisbon) - Porto - Exit Fatima/Batalha
EN 356 - connecting the cities of Batalha and Fatima
Former EN 362 - linking the towns of Batalha and Porto de Mos.
Bus Station (interurban bus services) - Largo 14 de Agosto, next to the Parish Church

Opening Hours:

October - March
From 09.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (last admission at 5.00 p.m.)

April - September
From 09.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. (last admission 6.00 p.m.)
The Monastery’s opening hours may be extended by means of advanced booking, subject to conditions.

Closed: 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 May and 25 December

Tickets:

Individual ticket: €6

Combined ticket/the Heritage Route (Alcobaça, Batalha, Convent of Christ): €15

Special discounts:

- Visitors aged 65 and older (proof of age must be shown) and people with disabilities: 50%
- Family ticket: 50% discount for minors (aged 15 – 18) in the company of one of their parents.
- “Cartão Jovem”: 60%

Group ticket (can be purchased on site, at least 24 hours in advance, valid for one year; no refunds/return of tickets):

- 100 to 200 tickets: 5% discount
- 201 to 500 tickets: 10% discount
- > 501 tickets: 20% discount

Pre-paid ticket: (can be purchased at e-mail address bilhetesgrupo@igespar.pt at least 24 hours in advance, valid for one year; no refunds/return of tickets):

- 100 to 200 tickets: 5% discount
- 201 to 500 tickets: 10% discount
- More than 501 tickets: 20% discount

Ticket sales: on site
Forms of payment: cash, credit card, ATM and cheque

Free admission:

- Sundays and holidays until 2.00 p.m.
- Members of APOM/ICOM and ICOMOS, ANBA, APH, AICP; researchers and other professionals (art critics, journalists, tour guides and other tourist information professionals) when visiting for Professional reasons and duly identified
- Teachers and students of any education level in the context of study visits, provided they present documental proof of their status
- Sponsors
- Ministry of Culture employees Members of the “Friends of the Monuments” and “Friends of the Castles” associations, duly identified

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