Allow yourself to be enchanted by the imposing Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, Batalha’s very own UNESCO World Heritage Site. Relive the History of Portugal under the Gothic arches of a monument that brings together features used by the greatest architectural geniuses and stonework artists of all time, creating perfect harmony.
Let the genuine, kind spirit of the people of Batalha infect you as they show you the best of what the Municipality has to offer. Indulge in the traditional food; recipes passed down through generations, filled with flavour and each with their own story to tell. Enjoy the diversity and beauty of unique landscapes with lush green plains and fields filled with crops. Explore the charms of the Estremenho Limestone Massif and adventure through its unique geological formations.
Just 3 minutes from Fátima and 15 minutes from Batalha, the Moeda Grottoes are among the most beautiful in the entire country.
Construction of the church began in 1514 by order of Manuel I of Portugal. The church has a strikingly regal main door, which was designed by Master Architect Boitaca.
A temple built in the Parish of Golpilheira during the 15th century, where Pero Gomes da Rosa, registrar of the kingdom’s Chancellery, and his son, João Afonso are buried.
Pre-Renaissance decorative elements can still be found in the archivolt of the triumphal arch and in the keystones of the main chapel’s vault at this unique hermitage.
A church that has been standing for many centuries, construction of the Reguengo do Fetal Mother Church dates back to 1512, by order of Pedro Vaz Gavião, Bishop of Guarda. Traces of its original architecture can still be seen, and specific note should be taken of the arched stone frames along the sides of the church.
Construction of the bridge began in the second half of the 19th century, in 1862, during the reign of Luís I of Portugal. Built in a neo-Gothic style, a linear 60-metre long road rests on six broken arches, which are interspersed with buttresses.
Having been voted the best Portuguese Museum in 2012 and won the prestigious Kenneth Hudson International Prize, the Museu da Comunidade Concelhia da Batalha (MCCB) takes us on an interesting, paradigmatic trip spanning more than 250 million years.
Find out more at www.museubatalha.com
Located in Rebolaria, the Ethnographic Museum – a House-turned-Museum in the Rosas do Lena Folklore Ranch – is a reconstruction of a typical nineteenth-century house in Estremadura. The museum has an interesting core display, which is made up of permanent exhibitions of ethnographic miniatures, musical instruments, costumes, pieces of stonework from Batalha and tools used for farming and various other professions. You can book a visit by calling: 244 765 223.
The Museum of Offerings made to the Unknown Soldier, which is located in the Monastery of Batalha, is a second location of the Combatants League Museum. It’s made up of a room with a permanent collection of Offerings made to the Unknown Soldier, and a second Chapter house which houses a Tomb.
Visiting hours are from 9 am to 5 pm (October to March) and from 9 am to 6 pm (April to September).
A unique building, this centre is located a mere 500 meters from the Monastery of Batalha. 600 years ago, this was the first defensive position chosen by Nuno Álvares Pereira, where the advancing Castilian army would finally be halted.
Find out more at www.fundacao-aljubarrota.pt
Just five kilometres away from Fátima, the village of Pia do Urso provides visitors with a truly stunning natural landscape, where the magnificent restoration work carried out on the traditional houses is sure to strike a chord with anyone who visits. This is a unique, genuine village visited by thousands of tourists each year.
This restored village is also home to Portugal’s first SENSORY ECOPARK, an innovative concept, which is designed to give people with disabilities an insight into the environment that surrounds them. The Village has won a prize awarded by Turismo de Portugal.
The area of Estremadura is a land of stark contrasts. Some call it a region nestled “between the sea and the mountains”, giving visitors an endless variety of landscapes that are sure to delight any and all who visit.
The Atlantic Ocean feels as if it is only a breath away, and lining the endless expanse are some of the best-known beaches in the whole country, such as Nazaré, Vieira, Pedrogão, São Martinho do Porto and Peniche.
Nicknamed the ‘Altar of the World’, Fatima has become an import location for all visitors, whether religious or not, as a place where they can take time out to reflect and gain spiritual protection.
You will find that the whole region is still dotted with ruins and structures from medieval times, with imposing castles that stand as living proof of long gone battles and wars. Immerse yourself in this period of history and visit the well-preserved, imposing castles the region has to offer.
The Estremenho Limestone Massif spans the Serras de Aire and Candeeiros natural park and is the most important area of limestone in Portugal. The limestone substrate is what has created the striking landscape, where visitors can see several naturally-
occurring phenomena such as caves, gorges, cliffs, limestone pavements, dry valleys, polje and sinkholes.