Batalha is a town near Leiria. It is famous for its 14th century monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Understand
In 1385, the Aljubarrota battle would end the ongoing war for Portugal's crown in favour of Portuguese born Mestre de Avis, soon to be D. João I. In appreciation to the Virgin Mary having answered his prayers, the winner had a monastery erected near the location of the battle. The settlement that was created to support the building of the monastery developed into the current town of Batalha.
It was home to about 16,000 people in 2011.
Get in
By bus
Batalha is connected to larger cities by Rede Expressos. The nearest cities, Leiria and Fátima, are connected through Rodoviária do Tejo.
Get around
See
- 1 Mosteiro da Batalha (Batalha Monastery, Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória, Monastery of Saint Mary of the Victory), Largo Infante Dom Henrique. 16 Oct–31 Mar: 09:00–18:00 (last admission 17:30), 1 Apr–15 Oct 09:00–18:30 (last admission 18:00), closed 1 Jan, Easter, 1 May, 25 Dec.
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Medieval Late Flamboyant Gothic and Manueline-style church, built to commemorate the Portuguese victory against Castile (now Spain) in the 1385 Battle of Aljubarrota. It serves as the final resting place of the royal house of Aviz. General admission €6.00, discounts available. 
- 2 Museu da Comunidade Concelhia da Batalha (Museum of Batalha), Largo Goa, Damão e Diu 4, ☏ 351 244 769 878, ✉[email protected]. W–Su 10:00–13:00 & 14:00–18:00, closed M Tu. History of the municipality and its people going back 250 million years. Topics include geology and paleontology. General admission: €2.50; ages 7–12, students, seniors, "inclusive": €1.80; age 0–6: free.
- 3 Grutas da Moeda, Largo das Grutas da Moeda, São Mamede, ☏ 351 244 703 838, ✉[email protected]. 16 Oct–15 Mar: 10:00–17:00, 16 Mar–15 Jul: 10:00–18:00, 16 Jul–15 Sep: 10:00–19:00, 16 Sep–15 Oct: 10:00–18:00. Limestone caverns, 350 m (1,150 ft) long at a depth of 45 m (148 ft).
- 4 Ponte da Boutaca. A neo-Gothic bridge built in 1862.
Do
Buy
The farmers market takes place every Monday morning, 07:00 to 13:00, near the swimming pool.