Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
History & Culture
The town of Batalha was founded in the 12
th
Century alongside the Monastery of Santa
Maria da Vitoria na Batalha. The story says that the Portuguese King Dom Joao I made a
vow to the Virgin Mary that he would build the monastery in her honour if Portugal de-
feated the Castile at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. The battle was won, assuring King
Joao the throne and guaranteeing independence for Portugal, and so the monastery was
constructed.
Over the course of 150 years, the monastery was built with varying architectural styles and
a settlement formed around the building. The earthquake of 1755 inflicted some damage
on the building, but much greater damage occurred at the beginning of the 19
th
Century
when Napoleonic troops burned the complex. It then fell into disrepair until a restoration
program began in 1840, leading to it being declared a national monument in 1907 and a
World Heritage Site in 1983. Every August, mass celebrations occur outside the church to
commemorate the victory which led to its construction.
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