Batalha Monastery, Portugal- Part 1

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Last September we visited Portugal for a Mini-Moon after our wedding, a bit of relaxation on the beach and to visit my then 92 year old Father in the North or Portugal. So far you have seen the beautiful Boutique Hotel where we stayed South of Lisbon: Casa Morgados. Here is a beautiful monument we visited on our way to the North, in Batalha, Central Portugal. Sorry if my film skills are not the best and our stabilizer is ever worse, but it gives you an idea of this magnificent monument! On that day there was an amazing Medieval Market going on, filmed by the Portuguese TV and of course I was on TV a few times myself! Enjoy....

Here is a bit of the history: The monastery was built to thank the Virgin Mary for the Portuguese victory over the Castilians in the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, fulfilling a promise of King John I of Portugal.

It took over a century to build, starting in 1386 and ending circa 1517, spanning the reign of seven kings. It took the efforts of fifteen architects, although for seven of them the title was merely honorary. The construction required an enormous effort, using extraordinary resources of men and material. New techniques and artistic styles, hitherto unknown in Portugal, were deployed.

Cloister hall of the monastery.
Work began in 1386 by the Portuguese architect Afonso Domingues, who continued until 1402. He drew up the plan, and many of the structures in the church and the cloister are his doing. His style was essentially Rayonnant Gothic; however, there are influences from the English Perpendicular Period. There are similarities with the façade of York Minster and with the nave and transept of Canterbury Cathedral.
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PORTUGAL
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