 Batalha, a town that was born around of its monastery
Batalha is a portuguese town belonging to the district of Leiria, with about 7.500 inhabitants.
The village was founded by the king D. João I, together with the Monastery of Santa Maria of Vitória, known as Monastery of Batalha, to thanks the divine aid granted in the victory of the Aljubarrota battle, in 1385.
The town has great historical moments, from the Roman presence to the decisive fights for the independence, leaving an important and unmistakable cultural patrimony. The “freguesias” of Batalha, Golpilheira, Reguengo do Fetal and São Mamede complete the map of one of the most emblematic councils of Portugal.
The victory in the Aljubarrota battle, on August 14, 1385, was decisive for the construction of the Monastery of Santa Maria of Vitória. That structure was responsible for the born of the Batalha’s village.
The construction of the Monastery began in 1387 or 1388. In a first phase, the church of “Santa Maria-a-Velha” was built. The Monastery represents a historical mark in the portuguese architecture, in a grandiose construction of the Gothic final period, this time was the birth of the important “Manuelino” style, which was used at the whole country. The construction of this monument took about 200 years. In 1907 it was classified as National Monument and, in 1983, UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage.
Still in the Batalha’s village is possible to visit the church of “Exaltação de Santa Cruz”, the bridge of “Boutaca”, the Ruins of Mine of Coal, the “Santo Antão’s” Church, the Church of “Nossa Senhora da Conceição” and the “Santo António’s” Church.
Although the great monument of the council is the Monastery, the remaining “freguesias” of Batalha keeps a lot of architectonic and cultural relics.
In Golpilheira, the visitor cannot leave without knowing the Church of “Nossa Senhora de Fátima”, the Small chapel of “Senhor dos Aflitos” and São Bento's Small chapel. In Fetal, the Parochial Church of “Nossa Senhora dos Remédios”, the “Santa Maria Madalena” Church, the Church of the Sacred Family, “São Mateus's” Church and the Small chapel of “Nossa Senhora do Fetal” are the tourist points of excellence.
In São Mamede, it is important to see the Cave of the Coin, the Church of “Santo António”, the famous windmills and the Parochial Church.
The council of Batalha has a strong and rich wine-producing tradition, being believed to exist from the Roman occupation. Now a day, the culture of the vineyard occupies more than 830 hectares.
The gastronomy in the area is very varied. Another traditional aspect is the craftsmanship, which involves the use of the loom and also the traditional pyrotechnics.
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