Global Treasures: Monastery of Batalha

Television Director: Ullman, Frank

Producer: Scarson, Peter O.

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Catalogue Number: GTR-DVD-1136

UPC: 879061007354

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Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

The Batalha Monastery is one of Portugal's masterpieces of Late Gothic architecture and also one of its most important monuments. The monastery was built in thanksgiving to the Virgin Mary who answered the people's prayers during the decisive battle of Aljubarrota and in keeping with the political and historical significance of this victory, the architecture of the monastery is quite magnificent and full of artistic flair. Its construction took 150 years.

Its architecture was designed to be magnificently regal and majestic and it contains several royal tombs. Motifs of royal battle dress partly decorate the interior of the church, a reminder of its former builder and patron, King Dom Joao I, and through beautiful multi-colored glass windows, rays of light illuminate a multitude of rich treasures.

Today, the numerous Gothic ornaments and beautiful glass windows of more recent times provide the monastery with a dignified show of colors. However, little remains of the Holy Dominican Order that worshipped within its walls for more than four centuries.

This exquisite monastery is quite rightly considered to be one of the most influential in the development of Portuguese architecture.