Portugal Travel Guide - Monastery of Batalha
Take a tour of Batalha Monastery in Batalha, Portugal -- part of the World's Greatest Attractions travel video series by GeoBeats. Located in Portugal's District of Leiria, is Batalha Monastery, an ornate Gothic and medieval Portuguese style convent. Construction drudged on from the late fourteenth century until the early sixteenth century, making the building period over 130 years. The convent was built by King Joao after the Portuguese army beat the Castilians in 1385, resulting in independence of Portugal from Spanish rule. The interior contains Manueline style decor, such as the elaborate 15th and 16th century stained glass windows. The limestone exterior displays rows of stone sculptures along with ribbons and borders of delicately etched stonework. Though the once gray exterior has yellowed through time, the convent is well preserved and contains lavish historical treasures.
