Mosteiro da Batalha
25 images 1 contributors Shoot with care
Sue Wolfe
Shoot with care
Be respectful and dress appropriately.
About this spot
The Monastery of the Dominicans of Batalha (ba-tal-ja) was commissioned by King João in gratitude for the Portuguese victory over the Castilians. Building the monastery was no small task—it took 131 years to construct the main sections (1386-1517)—spanning the reign of seven kings.
Eight different architects oversaw the project incorporating both Gothic and Manueline styles of architecture. Perhaps the most dramatic feature is the tomb of Dom João I and his wife, Queen Philippa. Also buried in the Monastery is their son, Henry the Navigator. The central nave stands at 32.5 meters (106.5 ft.) and rests on sixteen columns.
The stained-glass windows may be some of the earliest found in Portugal—dating back to the 1430s. In the Chapter House, a military honor guard stands watch over the tombs of two unknown soldiers killed in WWI—one in Flanders, the other in Africa.
The Monastery suffered damage from the 1755 Earthquake, but it was Napoleon’s troops that sacked and burned the complex in 1810. After the Dominicans were expelled from the monastery in 1834, the building was abandoned and fell into ruin. In 1840, King Ferdinand II started a restoration program that lasted until 1907, when the Monastery was made a national monument. It was added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites in 1983.
Eight different architects oversaw the project incorporating both Gothic and Manueline styles of architecture. Perhaps the most dramatic feature is the tomb of Dom João I and his wife, Queen Philippa. Also buried in the Monastery is their son, Henry the Navigator. The central nave stands at 32.5 meters (106.5 ft.) and rests on sixteen columns.
The stained-glass windows may be some of the earliest found in Portugal—dating back to the 1430s. In the Chapter House, a military honor guard stands watch over the tombs of two unknown soldiers killed in WWI—one in Flanders, the other in Africa.
The Monastery suffered damage from the 1755 Earthquake, but it was Napoleon’s troops that sacked and burned the complex in 1810. After the Dominicans were expelled from the monastery in 1834, the building was abandoned and fell into ruin. In 1840, King Ferdinand II started a restoration program that lasted until 1907, when the Monastery was made a national monument. It was added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites in 1983.
Join PhotoHound to learn how, where and when to capture amazing photos here
- Know the best times, seasons & shooting conditions
- Detailed directions - maps, co-ordinates and directions
- Know how to get there - where to park or how to reach there using public transport
- Browse inspirational photos and learn how they were taken - see the EXIF details
- Bookmark your favourite spots for future reference
- Know exactly when to shoot for beautiful photographs - sunrise, sunset, blue hour and astrophotography
- Detailed, 7-day weather forecast at this location
- Share your images with like-minded travel photographers
