Batalha Monastery
Batalha Monastery things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Our visit to Batalha Monastery was an extraordinary family experience, one that we will cherish for years to come. Nestled in the charming town of Batalha, this UNESCO World Heritage site stands as a magnificent testament to Gothic architecture and Portuguese history. Upon arriving, we were immediately struck by the monastery’s grandeur. The intricate details of the facade, with its ornate carvings and towering spires, left us in awe. As we stepped inside, the vast, serene interior enveloped us in a sense of peace and reverence. The soaring ceilings, elegant arches, and stained glass windows created an atmosphere that was both humbling and inspiring. One of the highlights of our visit was the Founder's Chapel, where we marveled at the tombs of King João I and Queen Philippa of Lancaster, surrounded by statues of their children. The sense of history was palpable, and we felt a deep connection to Portugal’s past. The Unfinished Chapels were another unforgettable part of our experience. Walking through these open-air chapels, with their beautifully sculpted, yet incomplete arches, was like stepping into a dream. The blend of Gothic and Manueline styles showcased the incredible craftsmanship of the time. We also took time to explore the Cloisters of King João I, a tranquil and beautiful area that offered a moment of reflection amidst the stunning architecture. The gardens and the delicate stonework of the cloisters were truly mesmerizing. Throughout our visit, we were captivated by the stories and history that the Batalha Monastery holds. It was a perfect educational experience for our family, allowing us to learn and appreciate Portugal’s rich cultural heritage together. Overall, our trip to Batalha Monastery was a remarkable journey through time, filled with awe-inspiring sights and profound moments of connection. It is a destination that we highly recommend to anyone visiting Portugal. We left with our hearts full, and our minds enriched, already planning our next historical adventure.
Bon SalinasBon Salinas
00
The cloister of Batalha is one of the most beautifull monastaries in Portugal or even in the world. It took more than a century to build and it was one of the first gothic buildins in Portugal as new techniques and styles were demonstrated for the first time. The high ceiling of the sober church is highly contrasted to the overwhelming Manueline style decorations of the unfinished chapels. Many kings are buried here and it still remains a place where battles are remembered: it was build to comemorate the Portuguese victory over the Castilians in the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385 and it also houses the resting place of two unknown Portuguese soldiers of the first world war, still flanked by two honor guards in the Chapterhouse. The ceiling of this Chapterhouse has a spanning of 19 metres and is said to be build by condemned prisoners as it was such a daring task to perform. The Royal cloister has some highly decorated arcade screens and highly decorated colonettes. The unfinished chapels were transformed by Mateus Fernandes into a masterpiece of Manueline style where it is hard to imagine that is actually build out of stone.
Bart EekhautBart Eekhaut
00
Beautiful place but very unpleasant staff. We payed 30€ and been kicked out right after. We arrived very shortly after 5 p.m. and bought two tickets (15€ each). No one informed us about anything at the cash desk. But we knew from the website that the last tickets are sold at 5:30 p.m. On the Google they say they are open until 18:30, on webside 18:00. However, at 5:35 p.m., the female employees very arrogantly began to chase us away - ,,This direction’’ / ,,Do you need help figuring out where to go out?’’ We didn't understand why they were asking us that, we still had 25 minutes to tour. However, when the fourth employee started chase us with information which direction we should leave, we preferred to leave, because there was an unpleasant pressure on us to disappear immediately. Some parts of the monastery were already switched off when we arrived so that no one could see the exhibition, which should still be open to visitors at that time. We saw the staff leaving at 18:01 so don't go there even 1 hour before or you will be disappointed as the staff wants to go home ASAP.
Judita VrajovaJudita Vrajova
00
The monastery was built to commemorate the Portuguese victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, a pivotal event in securing the nation's independence. Walking through its hallowed halls, you can feel the weight of history and the pride of a nation. The intricate stonework and soaring arches are breathtaking. Highlights include the awe-inspiring Royal Cloister, the serene Founder's Chapel where King João I and his family rest, and the fascinating Unfinished Chapels, which add a unique, almost mystical, charm to the site. The monastery is well-preserved and offers a peaceful, reflective atmosphere. Information panels throughout provide valuable insights into its history and significance. Don’t miss the Chapter House with its beautiful stained glass and the tomb of the unknown soldier, a moving tribute. Located conveniently in the town of Batalha, it's an easy day trip from Lisbon. Ample parking is available nearby, and the site is well-equipped to handle visitors with various needs.
Y. T. Nixon TanY. T. Nixon Tan
00
Never completely finished, this is a beautiful monastery that is showcasing magnificent gothic and Manueline architecture styles. The Founder’s Chapel has the joint tomb of John I of Portugal and Queen Philippa Lancaster (next to the church). You can easily spend a few hours here and don't miss to check the Unfinished Chapels. The tomb of King Edward of Portugal and his wife Eleanor of Aragon are located there and the whole room has an absolutely amazing energy to it. The light coming from the ceiling (since the roof was never built) was amazing and the architectural details were just beautiful. The family ticket for 3 was about $12 euro and there were no lines and not a lot of tourists. This was one of the highlights of our trip and I highly recommend visiting (you can combine with Tomar and Óbidos for a full day trip).
Nia OthitisNia Othitis
00
After visiting the stunning Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in Belem, we were totally impressed by the Manueline and decided to view all 3 UNESCO sites around Leiria (Batalha, Alcocaba and Tomar) at once. Basically, the Mosteiro Batalha is smaller than the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, but more or less similar and less crowded so that you may have a less stressful visit. The remarkable sign of the Manueline is its large, richly decorated cloister where you should pay attention to the incredible details. The special part of Batalha is definately the unfinished chapels, which leave you lots of reverie space. The visit tour is well planned so that you will cover all the important parts without taking a detour. There are also many free parking lots nearby and the entrance fee (6 Euro each or 15 Euro for all 3 sites) is really low.
Liang ChenLiang Chen
00
Nearby Attractions Of Batalha Monastery
Capillas imperfectas
Ponte da Boutaca
Capilla del Fundador
Iglesia parroquial de Batalha

Capillas imperfectas
4.7
(146)Click for details

Ponte da Boutaca
4.2
(121)Click for details

Capilla del Fundador
4.8
(29)Click for details

Iglesia parroquial de Batalha
4.2
(26)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Batalha Monastery
Restaurante Burro Velho
Restaurante T-Bone SteakHouse
Enigma - Hamburgueria Artesanal - Batalha
Pastelaria Arqueiro
Casa do Benfica in Battle
Tasca da Tinouca
Restaurante Dom Duarte
Restaurante Vintage
Pizzaria Tentazione
Oliveira & Marques

Restaurante Burro Velho
4.5
(1.2K)$$
Click for details

Restaurante T-Bone SteakHouse
4.6
(1K)$$
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Enigma - Hamburgueria Artesanal - Batalha
4.7
(619)Click for details

Pastelaria Arqueiro
4.5
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Basic Info
Address
Largo Infante Dom Henrique, 2440-109 Batalha, Portugal
Map
Phone
+351 244 765 497
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Website
mosteirobatalha.gov.pt
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Reviews
Overview
4.7
(11.5K reviews)
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Description
The Monastery of Batalha is a Dominican convent in the municipality of Batalha, in the district of Leiria, in the Centro Region of Portugal.
attractions: Capillas imperfectas, Ponte da Boutaca, Capilla del Fundador, Iglesia parroquial de Batalha, restaurants: Restaurante Burro Velho, Restaurante T-Bone SteakHouse, Enigma - Hamburgueria Artesanal - Batalha, Pastelaria Arqueiro, Casa do Benfica in Battle, Tasca da Tinouca, Restaurante Dom Duarte, Restaurante Vintage, Pizzaria Tentazione, Oliveira & Marques

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