Images | Photographs of Portugal: Mosteiro Batalha
The Monastery of Batalha (Mosteiro da Batalha) is a Dominican convent located in the city of Leiria, Portugal. The monastery is known for its beautiful Gothic and Manueline architecture.
A masterpiece of Gothic and Manueline architecture it was famously built to commemorate the 1385 Battle of Aljubarrota. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is known for its "Unfinished Chapels," intricate stone lace-work, the royal pantheon of the Avis dynasty, and its significance in ensuring Portuguese independence.
Founded in 1386 by King João I, construction of the church was a vow made to the Virgin Mary for victory in the Battle of Aljubarrota, which guaranteed Portugal’s independence from Castile. The Unfinished Chapels (Capelas Imperfeitas) are a stunning octagonal, open-air structure that was never completed. They are renowned for their massive, finely carved pillars and the beautiful Manueline-style portal.
The Founder’s Chapel (Capela do Fundador) is the first royal pantheon in Portugal, where King João I, his wife Philippa of Lancaster, and their sons - including Prince Henry the Navigator - are buried. Furthermore, the Chapter House within the monastery holds the tombs of two unknown Portuguese soldiers from World War I.