Monastery of Batalha

From Alcobaca, it was a 25-minute drive to Batalha. Batalha also has a Monastery of Santa Maria. It was built by King Joao I after winning the Battle of Aljubarrota. It took over 2 centuries to complete. Admission is €6.

There is a large free parking lot behind the monastery.

Bust of Henry the Navigator sits near the monastery.

A wall covered with plants helps to deaden the noise from the highway that runs next to the monastery.

The Monastery with statue of Nuno Alvarez Pereira who commanded the Portuguese in he Battle of Aljubarrota.

The entrance has 6 arches. From inside to out: angels with modesty wings, angels with different instruments, evangelists (Old Testament holding scrolls, New Testament holding books), Biblical & secular (holding globes) kings, doctors of the church with symbols of their martyrdom and female saints.

Stark interior without much ornamentation.

Founders Chapel with the double sarcophagus of King Joao I and his English wife Philippa. Joao I was the bastard son of Pedro I (of Pedro & Ines fame who are buried in the Monastery of Alcobaca). He was forced to marry Philippa and didn't care for her at first. He grew to love her when she used her intellect and education to oversee domestic policy, boost trade with England, reconcile Christians and Jews and spearheaded the Invasion of Ceuta that launched the Age of Discovery.

During our visit, there was a school group and their guide dressed as a monk.

Joao and Philippa hold hands for eternity.

Prince Henry the Navigator's tomb. He was one of the sons of Joao and Philippa.

The tomb of Prince Fernando, another of Joao and Philippa's sons. He died in captivity in Tangiers when his family refused to pay the ransom.

Next, enter the Royal Cloister.

Gothic arches from 1400 with Manueline decorations from 1500.

Chapter Room where Portugal's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier sits under a mutilated crucifex. At the top of the hour, there is a small Changing of the Guard ceremony.

In a corner of the room, there is a figure of Master Huguet, the architect who designed this room.

Exiting the Chapter Room, look for the fountain where monks washed their hands before entering the Refectory (dining hall) for meals. Our monk guide demonstrated.

The Unfinished Chapels contain more tombs.

This is the tomb of King Duarte and his wife Leonor. Duarte was the oldest of Joao and Philippa's sons and ruled for only 5 years before dying from the Plague.

Tomb of King Joao, first sone of Afonso V.

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