Batalha Monastery

Batalha Monastery (Mosteiro da Batalha), officially the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, stands on Largo Infante Dom Henrique in the town of Batalha, in the Leiria district of central Portugal. King João I ordered its construction after the victory over Castile at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, and building continued for around 150 years, producing a masterpiece of late Gothic and Manueline architecture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors enter the church through a richly carved portal and walk the soaring nave of pale limestone, which is plain and luminous with stained-glass windows. Beside the nave, the Founder's Chapel holds the tomb of João I and Philippa of Lancaster, with their sons, including Henry the Navigator, buried alongside. The Royal Cloister is covered in delicate stone tracery with Manueline motifs such as armillary spheres, ropes and sea shells. The Chapter House has a remarkable unsupported vault spanning about 19 metres, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers is watched by a guard. At the rear of the church, the Unfinished Chapels (Capelas Imperfeitas) form a roofless octagon of extraordinary Manueline carving and are open to the sky. A visit usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours. The best photographs are taken in the cloister and the Unfinished Chapels under morning light, and the facade glows in late afternoon. Crowds build from late morning, particularly with tour groups combining Batalha with Fátima, Nazaré and Alcobaça, so early arrival is helpful. Admission is paid at the ticket office, with discounts and free entry on certain days for residents. Audio guides are available. The monastery is closed on a small number of public holidays. Visitors can combine it with Alcobaça and Nazaré in one day.