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.