Dominican Monastery of Batalha

Despite the status of the village and the small population, the Portuguese town of Batalha is famous all over the world. After all, on its territory is the Dominican Monastery of Santa Maria da Vit ria na Batalha, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On the coat of arms of Batalia against the background of the St. George’s Cross is depicted the Mother of Victory with a child in her arms. According to the justification of the symbolism, the St. George’s cross was raised over the city after one of the significant battles of Aljubarrot, and the image of the Mother of God means a monastery in honor of the Virgin Mary.

The construction of the monastery began at the end of the XIV century (1385) according to a vow made by King João I. He gave it to the Virgin Mary before the battle of Aljubarrota with the Castilians, in which the Portuguese managed to survive.

The work begun by João I was continued by six subsequent kings. The construction was completed in 1517, in the XIX century reconstruction work was carried out in the monastery, and in 1980 a national museum was opened there.