Gela

Travel Guide

Lungo mare di Gela
The Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, known as the Monastery of Batalha (that literally translated means the Monastery of the Battle), is located in the town of Batalha in the center region of Portugal. 

It was built as a result of the promise made on the battlefield, by King João I to the Virgin Mary, under the pressure of all that was at stake, to build a monastery if victory were his on the famous 1385 Battle of Aljubarrota over the Castilians. It serves as well as the burial church of the 15th-Century Aviz dynasty of Portuguese royals. The Monastery (that is one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in Portugal), gave life to its surroundings and shaped their development over more than six centuries.

As Capelas Imperfeitas (The Unfinished Chapels) remain as a testimony of the fact that the monastery was never actually finished. They form a separate octagonal structure tacked on the choir of the church and only accessible from the outside. It was commissioned in 1437 by King Edward of Portugal as a second royal mausoleum for himself and his descendants, but only him and his queen Eleanor of Aragon are buried here. The octagonal rotunda has seven radiating hexagonal chapels. In the corners of the chapels stand the massive unfinished buttresses, that were intended to support the vault. The portal rises to a monumental fifteen meters. It was originally built in Gothic style, but was transformed beyond recognition by Mateus Fernandes into a masterpiece of Manueline style and completed in 1509.

The Monastery of Batalha has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1983.

http://bit.ly/1RG9D2m
Lungomare Federico II di Svevia, 25, 93012 Gela CL, Italy
Archeo Hotel

Archeo Hotel

Viale Indipendenza, 7 Gela CL
Book a stay at this beach property in Gela. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Piazza Umberto I and Biviere di Gela are ...
Archeo Hotel
Hotel Sileno

Hotel Sileno

3 out of 5
S.S.117 BIS Gela CL
Stay at this hotel in Gela. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Popular attractions L'Acropoli di Gela and Gela Archeological Museum are located ...
Hotel Sileno
Villa Aries - Torre di Manfria Hill

Villa Aries - Torre di Manfria Hill

Via Torre di Manfria, 23 Gela CL
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Gela. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Torre di Manfria and Manfria Beach are located ...
Villa Aries - Torre di Manfria Hill
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Appartamenti Sud Est

Appartamenti Sud Est

Via Pescara 28 Ragusa RG
Stay at this apartment in Ragusa. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Popular attractions Tourist Port Marina di Ragusa ...
Appartamenti Sud Est
coste ponente

coste ponente

Contrada Coste Fontana s.n Ragusa RG
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Ragusa. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and in-room massages. Popular attractions Basilica of Maria Santissima ...
coste ponente
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Cities near Gela