Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross or Main Church of Batalha

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Leiria > Batalha > Arneiro > Urbanização do Pinhal Manso

History

- Built during the reign of King Manuel I, between 1514 and 1532.

- Architectural style influenced by the Manueline style, visible in the main portal.

- Suffered damage in 1858 due to an earthquake, being subsequently restored.

External Architecture

- Main facade highlighted by the Manueline-style portal, decorated with vegetal motifs and national symbols such as the cross of the Order of Christ and the armillary sphere.

- Bell tower attached to the left of the facade, with a balustrade and pyramidal spire.

Internal Architecture

- Arch and ribbed vault in the chancel.

- Stone altarpiece with polychrome marble and baptismal font from the Monastery of Batalha.

- Tiles from the front and wainscoting from the Monastery of Nossa Senhora de Ara Coeli in Alcácer do Sal.

State of Conservation and Restoration

- Damaged by an earthquake in 1858, later restored.

- Interventions in the 18th and 20th centuries for maintenance and renovation of architectural elements.

Location

Parish of Batalha, municipality of Batalha, district of Leiria.

Classification

National Monument since 1910.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igreja_da_Exaltação_de_Santa_Cruz

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt