Attractions and Places To See around Porto de Mós - São João Baptista e São Pedro - Top 20

Plenty to see, especially if your in for a visit. Maintenance works are visible from several locations outside right now.

The magnificent entrance portico of the Igreja de Santa Maria da Vitória is unique in the history of Portuguese art, a work by the Master Huguet (1402–1438). It features an elaborate iconographic ensemble comparable only to the great porticoes of European cathedrals: six apostles on each side, virgins, martyrs, popes, monks, angel figures, God, and the four evangelists...

The Chapel of the Founders is located to the right of the main facade. It was not included in the original plan of the monastery and owes its existence to the decision of King John I to create a family pantheon. Construction was completed around 1433/34. It is a space of great historical and artistic significance. Originally quadrangular in plan, it transforms in the center into an octagon, covered by a complex star vault that becomes a true canopy glorifying King John I and Queen Philippa of Lancaster, who are buried in a large tomb. On the lid of this largest Gothic arch of the 15th century in Portugal, the two recumbent kings are depicted hand in hand, covered by canopies with their coats of arms. On the back wall, on the south side, are the tombs of the children of these kings from the second quarter of the 15th century, the "famous generation", as Camões called them. From right to left: tomb of Infante and Regent Dom Pedro and his wife Isabel de Urgel, Duchess of Coimbra; of Henry the Navigator and Master of the Order of Christ (with a recumbent statue); of Infante Dom João, Master of the Order of Santiago, and his wife Isabel; of King Ferdinand, Master of the Order of Aviz, who died a saint during the captivity of Fez. The three tomb chests commissioned by King Charles I date from the early 20th century and are located on the west side of the chapel. Here are buried, from left to right: King Afonso V, grandson of John I; King John II, son of Afonso V; and finally Crown Prince Afonso, son of John II, who died prematurely in 1491 in a riding accident in the Santarém region.

After the revolution of 1383, Portugal found itself in a difficult conflict with the neighboring Kingdom of Castile. The battle was decided in 1385 when the Castilian and Portuguese armies clashed at the Battle of Aljubarrota. The Castilians outnumbered and were better armed. As a military leader, Nuno Álvares Pereira loyally stood by his patron, John of Avis. The Portuguese achieved a resounding victory, which is attributed in particular to the strategic genius of Nuno Álvares Pereira. With this victory, the Castilian claims to Portugal were permanently repelled. John of Avis was proclaimed king by the Cortes, as John I of Portugal, thus establishing the second Portuguese dynasty, the House of Avis. Nuno Álvares Pereira became a national hero, and the grateful king showered him with honors and material possessions.

Behind the transept of the church, in line with the choir, is the Pantheon of King Duarte, commonly known as the "Unfinished Chapels." It is structured in the form of an octagonal plan with an entrance on one axis and seven radiating chapels separated by small triangular sections. The construction of this chapel, initiated by King Duarte, began around 1434, the first year of his reign. The death of King Duarte in 1438 prevented the completion of the new funerary chapel, the construction of which had been driven by King Duarte's consistent personal and familial attitude. In the Duarte Pantheon, the double tomb of King Duarte and Queen Leonor was not housed here in the Axis Chapel until the 1940s, in what may have been a definitive reunion with history.

The Lis River, whose source is in the town of Fontes, Cortes, is one of the few rivers in the country whose current flows from south to north and, in the final kilometres, from east to west. In winter and early spring, it is possible to see water emerging from the ground in surprising quantities. In the summer months, the source is usually dry.

Good place for a coffee stop ☕

Batalha is a fascinating place to visit! Batalha Monastery: This stunning Gothic monastery, also known as the Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. Igreja Matriz da Batalha: Also known as the Igreja da Exaltação de Santa Cruz, this 16th-century church is a beautiful example of Manueline architecture. Batalha Square: The heart of the city, ideal for strolling and soaking up the local atmosphere. Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park: If you love nature, this nearby park offers hiking trails and spectacular scenery. Additionally, there are many activities and tours available, such as day trips to Fátima, Nazaré, and Óbidos.