Visiting the Batalha Monastery

The Batalha Monastery is one of the masterpieces of Gothic architecture in Europe, a vast lacy stone church and cloisters built to celebrate a battle that secured Portugal’s independence. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, and an easy stop between Lisbon and Porto or on a Fátima day trip.

Quick answer: Batalha is about 1.5 hours north of Lisbon, 20 minutes from Fátima. The church is free, and a ticket covers the Royal Cloister, the Chapter House and the roofless Unfinished Chapels. Allow 1.5 hours. Many day tours combine it with Fátima, Nazaré and Óbidos. See day tours.

About the monastery

King João I vowed to build the monastery if he won the Battle of Aljubarrota against Castile in 1385. He won, and construction went on for over a century. The result is a showcase of Portuguese Gothic and early Manueline stonework.

What to see

• The church: a soaring, light-filled Gothic nave with stained glass.
• The Founder’s Chapel: the joint tomb of João I and Philippa of Lancaster, lying hand in hand, and the tomb of their son Henry the Navigator.
• The Royal Cloister: Gothic arches filled with intricate Manueline tracery.
• The Chapter House: a vast square vault with no central support. It holds the tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, with a guard of honour.
• The Unfinished Chapels: an octagonal pantheon open to the sky, never completed, with astonishingly carved doorways.

Nearby

• Fátima: see Fátima day trip.
• Alcobaça: another UNESCO monastery 30 minutes away. See Alcobaça.
• Nazaré and Óbidos on the coast. See the Silver Coast.
• Tomar: the Convent of Christ. See Tomar.

Tips

• Combined tickets: if you plan to visit Alcobaça and Tomar too, ask about a combined ticket.
• Light: the façade glows golden in the late afternoon.
• Stay nearby: see places to stay in Batalha.

More: UNESCO sites in Portugal and the best day trips from Lisbon.

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