Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Batalha Monastery
Attractions & Activities
The monastery is immediately striking, with buttresses, flamboyant windows, pinnacles,
and statues decorating the exterior. An equestrian statue of Nuno Alvares Pereira stands in
front of the southern façade, commemorating the commander who helped win the battle. In-
side, the tombs of King Joao and Henry the Navigator are housed in the Flounder's Chapel,
and magnificent Royal Cloisters display exciting art from the Age of Discovery. Through
a wonderful Gothic doorway lies the seven Unfinished Chapels, divided by incomplete pil-
lars which were designed to hold a massive dome. Nearby Batalha is the small town of
Porto de Mos, home to a network of underground caves with incredible rock formations
and a beautiful 13
th
Century castle, as well as a vast wine region where sampling the local
grapes is a must.
