​​​ Lost Paradises Travels - Europe  

​​PORTUGAL

Batalha Monastery.

The town of Batalha developed alongside the Monastery of Santa Maria de Vitória, constructed in 1386 to keep a vow by Portuguese King Dom João I to the Virgin Mary that he would build it if Portugal defeated Castile at the Battle of Aljubarrota on 14th August 1385.

The Monastery of Batalha, a masterpiece of Portuguese Gothic, is a magnificent piece of architecture that combines various influences from its lengthy period of construction, which lasted several reigns. The Monastery of Batalha is a very fine monument and is classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.