About Batalha

Batalha is a town and municipality in the district of Leiria, Portugal. The population in 2011 was 15,049, in an area of 54.58 km². It is known for the Battle of Aljubarrota, which was fought here in 1385. It was also a place of residence of Queen Elizabeth of Portugal. Batalha lies in the centre of the historical province of Beira Litoral. The town of Batalha developed around the Batalha Monastery, a Dominican convent founded in 1388 by King John I of Portugal in thanksgiving for the Portuguese victory in the Battle of Aljubarrota. The monastery, one of the best-preserved examples of late Gothic architecture in Portugal, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[3] Nearby there is also the A1 motorway, which connects Lisbon to Porto, and the A8 motorway which connects Leiria to Coimbra. The town is served by Batalha railway station. Batalha Monastery is located in the town centre. Originally constructed to thank Saint Mary for the Portuguese victory over the Castilians in the 1385 Battle of Aljubarrota, the monastery took almost a century and a half to build. Begun in 1388, the monastery is one of the best examples of Late Gothic architecture in Portugal. The monastery's richly decorated interior includes such features as the Royal Cloister, the Chapter House, the Kings' Room and the Unfinished Chapels. The tomb of Infante Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu, and his wife, Beatriz da Silva, is located in the Royal Chapel. The monastery was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. The Convent of Christ is a former Knights Templar stronghold located in Tomar, Portugal. The convent, which was founded in the 12th century, played an important role in the country's history, especially during the Portuguese Inquisition in the 16th century. The convent is now a museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town of Tomar was founded in the 12th century by Gualdim Pais, a Knight Templar. The Convent of Christ, which was originally a castle built to protect the town from invaders, was later turned into a convent by Pais and his fellow Templars. The convent played an important role in the Portuguese Inquisition, which began in the 16th century. Many of the Inquisition's victims were imprisoned and tortured at the convent. The convent was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. The Castle of Leiria is a medieval castle located in the town of Leiria, Portugal. The castle was built in the 12th century and has been renovated several times over the centuries. The castle is now a museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Castle of Leiria was built in the 12th century by Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal. The castle has been renovated several times over the centuries, most recently in the 19th century. The castle is now a museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The castle's museum includes a collection of armor and weapons, and a library with more than 30,000 books.