Category: Religious Architecture > Chapels
District: Leiria > Batalha > Batalha
The Unfinished Chapels are located in the locality of Batalha, in the municipality of the same name, and are adjoined to the northern face of the Monastery of Batalha, integrated into its architectural complex. Their singular location, in the area adjacent to the transept and sacristy of the Monastery, makes them a point of great importance and easy access for those exploring this monument.
Their notable presence in the built ensemble is evident, revealing a unique space that invites close observation. The surroundings are serene, ideal for contemplating the monument's grandeur.
The Unfinished Chapels, also known as the Pantheon of D. Duarte, were born from the will of this king. The objective was to create a new funerary space for his lineage, a personal and familial assertion that began around 1434, in the very first year of his reign.
The initial project, of great ambition and complexity, was entrusted to the talented architect Huguet. His design envisioned a remarkable structure, organized around a developed octagon, with a central entrance and seven radiating chapels that opened from this core, separated by small triangular bodies.
The designation "Unfinished" reflects the history of a work that was never fully completed. The unexpected death of King D. Duarte in 1438, followed by that of master Huguet himself the following year, abruptly interrupted construction, leaving the pantheon unfinished.
However, the project was resumed during the reign of D. Manuel I, who aimed to give greater monumentality to the space. From this period, the sumptuous entrance portal stands out, meticulously carved under the direction of Mateus Fernandes, one of the great masters of the Manueline style. The seven funerary chapels were also completed at this time, displaying in their vaults carved keystones with coats of arms and emblems that mark their recipients.
Beyond the Manueline portal, the beauty of the Unfinished Chapels lies in the way different eras and styles converge. Already during the reign of D. João III, a Renaissance balcony was added above the portal, dated 1533, with an aesthetic and decoration of clear Italian influence, attributed to Miguel de Arruda and designed by João de Castilho.
This fusion of Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance styles, evident in its stones and the grandeur of its conception, even unfinished, offers a unique perspective on the evolution of Portuguese architecture over the centuries. The richness of the carved details and the imposing nature of the space create an atmosphere of contemplation.
Despite the long interruption and its "unfinished" state, the original destiny of the chapels as a royal pantheon was finally fulfilled in the 20th century. It was in the 1940s that the double tomb of King D. Duarte and Queen D. Leonor was placed here in the axial chapel, thus finding its definitive resting place. This moment marked the reunion of the initial intention with its materialization, consolidating the historical importance of this space.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.65881224708705, -8.824948468084783
Coordinates DMS: 39°39'31.7"N 08°49'29.8"W
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