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The Batalha Monastery, a stunning example of filigree stone work and beautiful design, is, for the main part, Gothic in style. Ornate archways lead to magical chambers and chapels and its exterior is a veritable throng of sculptures of saints and other important characters. However, its piece-de-resistance, the Royal Cloister, displays much evidence of the beginnings of Manueline style in its nautical carvings. More exceptional examples of Manueline masonry can be found in the seven chapels which lie unfinished, interestingly because the masons in question were taken by Manuel I to Belém to start work on the magnificent its Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

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 (via a retrochoir) and only accessible from the outside. It was commissioned in 1437 by King Edward of Portugal ("Dom Duarte", d.1438) as a second royal mausoleum for himself and his descendants. But he and his queen Eleanor of Aragon are the only ones buried here (Eleanor died in exile in Toledo in 1445, her remains were only translated here in 1456)

Unfinished chapels

Capela do Fundador

The original design, begun by Huguet, was altered by successive architects, especially Mateus Fernandes (who is buried inside the church). 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. These pillars, designed by Diogo Boitac, are decorated with Manueline motives carved in stone

The portal rises to a

monumental fifteen

metres. It was

originally built in

Gothic style, but was

transformed beyond

recognition by Mateus Fernandes

into a masterpiece

of Manueline

style (completed in 1509).

The portal is completely

decorated into a lacework of

sumptuous and stylized

Manueline motives: armillary,

spheres, winged angels, ropes,

circles, tree stumps, clover-shaped arches

and florid projections.

This homage of King Manuel I to his predecessor

King Edward mentions his motto Leauté

faray tam yaserei (I will

always be loyal). This

motto is then repeated more

than two hundred times in the arches,

vaults and pillars of the

chapels

The Renaissance loggia, added at about 1533, was probably

meant for musicians.

The Renaissance loggia is ascribed to the architect João

de Castilho

Dom Duarte e Dona Leonor de Aragon

Dom Duarte e Dona Leonor de Aragon

Escudo de Armas de D. Duarte

Túmulo de D. João, Filho de D. Afonso V

O Escudo de Armas e Emblemas de D. João II e D. Leonor

O Escudo de Armas e Emblemas de D. João II e D. Leonor

O Escudo de Armas e Emblemas de D. João II e D. Leonor

O Escudo de Armas e Emblemas de D. João II e D. Leonor

Sound: Cristina Branco - Saudade; Vida triste

Text: InternetPictures: Sanda Foişoreanu InternetCopyrights of the photos belong to each photographer

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda