Silver Coast Portugal

In addition to all culture and beautiful beaches, Central Portugal appears to be a paradise for cyclists

Sister Marian and brother Frans explored this year the area by bike. Of course you need a bit of condition and the right equipment to do fine in this hilly area. As they  say: "A good decision because with a full breakfast there is enough energy to start the journey with confidence." They are experienced bikers, several times they cycled from the Netherlands to southern France, and Germany to Prague. Say, the sports branch of the family.

In 1385 work began on the construction of the monastery of Santa Maria de Vitoria in Batalha

It was built over 200 years to realize the lime sandstone building. It was built in Gothic style and has many decorations by many turrets on the roof and gargoyles adorning around the monastery.

Necessary maintenance

By influences from weather and traffic maintenance is necessary and it started in the autumn of 2013 with the necessary restoration work on and around the monastery. The square has been refurbished on the side of the Unfinished Chapels are coated with a special layer of gravel. The monastery is partly under construction, the tower looks like new again. On the wall around the monastery work is done by artists from a local company, so the work will be completed in the spring of 2014.

Monastery Tower

Restoration appears badly needed because the limestone is pretty ratty which made the tower unstable and dangerous. During the restoration work the tower turns out worse than expected so the staff works extra careful to preserve the tower and to ensure their own safety. When all the work is finished, it is intended that the tower is open to the public. In addition to the restoration, all the towers and walls get a cleanup so all the details will be nicely visible. When everything is done it gets a special treatment to protect from the weather.

116 French Lilies!

Work on the wall near the square is performed by a local company where two local artists are involved, Zira and Antonio Antunes Moreira of Garguła Gótica. They received the order from the municipal to renew and restore the French Lilies on the wall around the abbey. Especially for this job they attract nine artists who perform work on a project basis with them.

For years, the lilies adorned the wall but they were broken off all influences or perish! This is precision work to restore everything to its original state. The 116 lilies that are newly created and then some that are being restored.

First of all the cement has been removed to the remaining portions of the lilies. This cement layer shows through the years the underlying limestone (partly)and the wood eaten away. Sand-lime is just a stone that needs to "breathe", which cannot with a cement layer. After the removal of the cement is the remainder of the lily processed so that it remains firmly in the future. The wood, often rotten. is replaced for lead. And after filling the object is rebuilt or cut with limestone.

Protective in the summer!

Following completion, in the summer when it stays dry a protective coating is applied against algae. It should be dry 15 days in a row because the protective layer should have no contact with water to do its job as well as possible. Hence a summer job in the winter and spring, the risk of too much rain.

Visit the monastery

When you are in Batalha, a visit to the monastery is worthwhile. Perhaps you are the first to climb the tower which certainly gives a magnificent view over the village.

The monastery is closed only on Christmas Day and New Years Day 1st. All other days it welcomes visitors. On Sundays and public holidays until 14:00 pm there is free entrance, then on other days a ticket costs € 6.00. Well worth it and do not forget to watch the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier from the First World War.

Some nice and very good restaurants: from pizza to a culinary night out

Close to the monastry of Batlha you find several Pastelarias where you can have a coffee and enjoy the Portuguese 'doces', but they are also a good place for soup, a hamburger or a sandwich.

In the restaurants you order the Prato do Dia. Usually this comes with a drink, all for a very reasonable price.

Batalha has many restaurants where you can enjoy a good meal. There are typical Portuguese 'tavernas', like A Cave and Dom Duarte, and traditional restaurants like Perola do Fetal and O Burro Velho. For a pizza you go to Pap 'Oliva.

But for those who really would like a night out, restaurant Vintage is highly recommended. Very good food and presentation, and they can recommend the appropriate wine to accompany your dish. And do not worry .......... also in this restaurant a bottle of excellent wine comes at a very reasonable price.

The monastry Santa Maria de Vitória is Portuguese late gothic and manuelino masterpiece

On 15 August 1385 a battle started at Aljubarrota between the Castilian army and the Portuguese army lead by Nuno Álvares Pereira. On the square you see his statue. Mainly with help of English archers the Spanish army was defeated, and Portuguese independence could be maintained.

The first king, João, promised to build a monastryto thank the Virgin Mary for the Portuguese victory.

Many architects were involved in the construction, reason why the buildings have 3 different styles: late gothic, manuelino and renaissance. In the cloisters is the monument for unknown soldiers who died in the first world war. Every hour you can see the the change of the guards.

Together with Alcobaça and Tomar, Batalha forms the Golden Triangle of abbeys in the Costa de Prata (Silvercoast). These three monastries are on Unesco’s World Heritage list.

The municipal museum of Batalha was opened in 2011. It was founded to support the cultural heritage of the village. The museum has some interactive features, and takes you on a journey through the past to the present.
In the historical archives you can also see the excavations of the Roman city of Collipo, that once was built in the Batalha area.

Enter...

Hypermodern museum on bloody battle

In São Jorge (between Aljubarrota and Batalha) you can find the Battle of Aljubarrota Interpretation Centre, one of the most modern museums of Europe. By using advanced media it takes visitors back to the year 1385. There is an exhibition, an educational area, but also a shop, restaurant and picknick garden. And what about the “medieval machines activity park” with games and wooden machines which can be activated by visitors. A fun day out!

www.fundacao-aljubarrota.pt

Interactive museum offers you a historical journey

The municipal museum of Batalha was opened in 2011. It was founded to support the cultural heritage of the village. The museum has some interactive features, and takes you on a journey through the past to the present.

In the historical archives you can also see the excavations of the Roman city of Collipo, that once was built in the Batalha area.

www.museubatalha.com

Batalha is located in the heart of central Portuga

With the famous Santa Maria de Vitória monastry in the city centre

King João I ordered the construction of the monastry, to thank the Virgin Mary for the Portuguese victory over the Castilians in the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. The monastry is a Portuguese late gothic and manuelino masterpiece.

Together with Alcobaça and Tomar, Batalha forms the Golden Triangle of abbeys in the Costa de Prata (Silvercoast). These three monastries are on Unesco’s World Heritage list.
The municipal museum of Batalha was opened in 2011. It was founded to support the cultural heritage of the village. The museum has some interactive features, and takes you on a journey through the past to the present. In the historical archives you can also see the excavations of the Roman city of Collipo, that once was built in the Batalha area.

Around the monastry you will find all kinds of restaurants, outdoor cafes and shops.