Santa Maria da Vitória na Batalha is a Dominican
monastery in the Portuguese town of Batalha, in the Distric of Leiria, Portugal, that 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 D. João I. The
battle put an end to the 1383-1385 crisis.
The monastery took two centuries to build, started in 1388 by
Afonso Domingues and succeeded by David Huguet in 1402, and several Kings of Portugal wanted to leave their mark on this construction
built in pale stone. As Capelas Imperfeitas (The Imperfect Chapels) remain as a testimony of the fact that the monastery was
never actually finished. The Infante Henry, the Navigator was buried here, as were King João I and his Queen of English origin,
Philippa of Lancaster.
The Sala do Capítulo (Chapter Room) reminds the visitors of
the military reason for its foundation: two sentinels guard the tombs of two unknown soldiers killed in World War I. The monastery
stands up from all the village, and although some dislike the implantation of new hotels by its side, they can always enjoy
the interesting homes of the 18th century, the "guillotine" windows and the magnificent Manueline portal of the main Church.It
is among one of the most fascinating pieces of manueline architecture within the country.
