Batalha - Mosteiro da Batalha

The official name of the monastery is "Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória". After Portugal's victory over the Kingdom of Castile in the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, it was built as a vow of gratitude. It took around 150 years to build, from 1388 to around 1563. The Portuguese kings from the period between 1385 and 1495 are buried in the monastery of Batalha.

According to tradition, João I had promised to build a monastery for the Virgin Mary if she would assist the Portuguese army in the battle against the Castilian army, which was more than four times superior in numbers. It was probably built under the exclusive supervision and financing of the royal family, which explains the sophisticated architecture. The monastery is to be understood as a demonstration of the new royal dynasty of Avis founded by João I.


The monastery was dissolved as a result of the Napoleonic occupation and became state property. Extensive restoration work began before the middle of the 19th century, some of which took on the character of a new building. The entire church furnishings were removed. The monastery was purified in the sense of a strict Gothic style and large parts of the 16th to 18th century were demolished.

Such a large complex, which has been neglected for decades, naturally attracts many vandals who leave graffiti. Most are done in grease pencil, but some are carved in.