Monastery of Batalha

The Monastery of the Dominicans of Batalha was built to commemorate the

victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians at the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. It
was to be the Portuguese monarchy's main building project for the next two
centuries. Here a highly original, national Gothic style evolved, profoundly
influenced by Manueline art, as demonstrated by its masterpiece, the Royal
Cloister.

Outstanding Universal Value

Brief Synthesis

Constructed in fulfilment of a vow by King João to commemorate the victory over

the Castilians at Aljubarrota (15 August 1385), the Dominican Monastery of
Batalha, in the center of Portugal, is one of the masterpieces of Gothic art. The
greater part of the monumental complex dates from the reign of João I (1385-
1433), when the church (finished in 1416), the royal cloister, the chapter-house,
and the funeral chapel of the founder were constructed.

The design has been attributed to the English architect Master Huguet. The chapel's
floor plan consists of an octagonal space inserted in a square, creating two separate
volumes that combine most harmoniously. The ceiling consists of an eight-point
star-shaped lantern. The most dramatic feature is to be found in the center of the
chapel: the enormous medieval tomb of Dom João I and his wife, Queen Philippa
of Lancaster. Bays in the chapel walls contain the tombs of their sons, among them
Prince Henry the Navigator.

The main entrance of the church is through the porch on the west facade. On both
sides of this portal are sculptures of the twelve apostles standing on consoles. In
the center is a high relief statue of Christ in Majesty surrounded by the Evangelists,
framed by six covings decorated with sculptures of biblical kings and queens,
prophets and angels holding musical instruments from the Middle Ages. This great
profusion of sculptures is completed by the crowning of the Virgin Mary.

As a monument charged with a symbolic value from its foundation, the Monastery
of Batalha was, for more than two centuries, the great workshop of the Portuguese
monarchy. It is not surprising that the most characteristic features of a national art
would have been determined there, during both the Gothic and the Renaissance
periods. Batalha is the conservatory of several privileged expressions of
Portuguese art: the sober architectural style of the end of the 14th century, with the
stupendous nave of the abbatial, of which the two-storey elevation, with broad
arcades and high windows, renders most impressive; the exuberant aesthetic of the
capelas imperfeitas; the flamboyant arcades embroidered in a lace-work of stone:
the Manueline Baroque even more perceptible in the openwork decor of the tracery
of the arcades of the royal cloister than on the immense portal attributed to Mateus
Fernandes the Elder; and finally, the hybrid style of João de Castilho, architect of
the loggia constructed under João III (1521-1557).

Criterion (i): The Dominican Monastery of Batalha is one of the absolute

masterpieces of Gothic art.

Criterion (ii): The Monastery of Batalha was, for more than two centuries, an
important workshop of the Portuguese monarchy. The most characteristic features
of a national art were determined here, both during the Gothic and the Renaissance
periods.

Integrity
Within the boundaries of the 0,98 hectare property are located all the necessary
elements to express the Outstanding Universal Value of the Monastery of Batalha.
To reduce the traffic in the old main road (EN1) which crossed the site’s buffer
zone, a new road (A14) was built outside the property and a curtain of trees was
planted to reduce possible pollution impacts on the monument.

Authenticity
The Monastery of Batalha preserves its authenticity by maintaining its original
plans, materials and social and religious significance. The property’s most relevant
attributes have been preserved and even reinforced as far as quality is concerned.
Conservation and restoration of all stained-glass windows and mural paintings in
the Royal Cloister and in the Sacristy have been carried out according to the Nara
Document on Authenticity. Besides, the Escola Nacional de Artes e Ofícios da
Batalha (School of Arts and Crafts) has been supplying skilled workers both for the
conservation and restoration of stone elements and stained-glass windows.

Ecclesiastical authorities have contributed to the preservation and enhancement of

this property, by using the church for religious ceremonies.

Since 9 April 1921, the Chapter House has a permanent guard of honor and is lit by
a lamp symbolizing the homeland flame in homage to the Unknown Soldier
protected by the mutilated “Christ of the Trenches”.
Protection and Management Requirements

The Monastery of Batalha was classified as a national monument by a Decree

published in the government Journal no. 14 of 17 January 1907.

In order to ensure enforcement of the Law establishing the bases for the policy and
system of rules for protection and enhancement of cultural heritage (Law no. 107
of 8 September 2001), Decree no. 140 of 15 June 2009 established the legal
framework for studies, projects, reports, works or interventions upon classified
cultural assets. It established, as a rule, the need for a previous and systematic
assessment, monitoring and weighing of any works that are likely to affect the
site’s integrity so as to avoid any disfigurement, dilapidation, loss of physical
features or authenticity. This is ensured by appropriate and strict planning, by
qualified staff, of any techniques, methodologies and resources to be used for
implementation of works on cultural properties.

Furthermore, there is a responsible management policy that has focused on

environmental solutions and on maintaining open dialogue and building
partnerships with, among others, the municipality so as to overcome the negative
effects of undue use of the monument’s surrounding area.

Similarly, according to Decree no. 309 of 23 October 2009, buffer zones are
considered special protection zones benefitting from adequate restrictions for the
protection and enhancement of cultural properties.

To preserve the authenticity and integrity of the whole monumental complex

within a work plan involving the local community is the key management goal. It
also takes into account UNESCO’s recommendations in the State of Conservation
Report from 1990, namely conservation measures that have been taken to solve the
problem of distortion of the lead work and broken panes in the stained-glass
windows.

All the interventions that have been implemented or are foreseen comply with
current legislation, as well as with strict technical and scientific criteria. There is a
special focus on the treatment and rehabilitation of the area surrounding the
monument, as these works will be ensured by local organizations involving both
the municipality and the local community.

Management of this complex is ensured by the decentralized services of the

Directorate General for Cultural Heritage (DGPC), the central administration
department responsible for cultural heritage. Conservation, enhancement and
safeguarding measures are ensured by DGPC that is responsible for drawing up an
annual programme and implementing it so as to secure the future of the monument.
Furthermore, an interpretation center has been established. Today visitors have
access to more areas and to new information that will ensure a better and more
integrated knowledge of the World Heritage property.

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