Mosteiro da Batalha

This is one of the largest and most beautiful Gothic monuments in Portugal, being the first example of Manueline art from the 16th century. The Batalha Monastery is the most striking symbol of the Avis Dynasty. King João I, following a vow to the Virgin Mary should he win the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, ordered the work to begin the following year, under the direction of the Portuguese architect Afonso Domingues. This phase resulted in a large part of the church's structures and two wings of the cloister. In 1402, the direction of the works passed to Master Huguet. This period corresponds to the flamboyant Gothic main church, the vaulting of the church spaces and the Chapter House, the construction of the Founder's Chapel, and also the beginning of the work on the Unfinished Chapels. In the 15th century, the Cloister of King Afonso V was built, and during the reign of King Manuel I, the windows of the cloister galleries were closed and the work on the Unfinished Chapels was resumed. From 1840 onwards, it underwent restoration work. In 1980, it was transformed into a museum, housing two stonemasonry and stained-glass workshops. In 2007, it was voted one of the seven wonders of Portugal.