Grand De Tour

Stopped off on the way home to visit the Mosteiro da Batalha (Battle Abbey), built to commemorate a great Portuguese victory over the Castilian forces in 1385, who were trying to take the throne. The Spanish army was far bigger and more powerful, but Grand Master João made a promise to the Virgin Mary that if the Portuguese won, she would get a new abbey and eternal gratitude. They did win, the first stones were laid the following year, and João became the first king of the Aviz dynasty.

He later married Philippa of Lancaster, daughter of John of Gaunt, and mother of Henry the Navigator, who are all buried here. João and Philippa are holding hands, to symbolize the relationship between Portugal and England (and possibly their love?), the oldest treaty still in force.

It's a huge place, loads to see, spectacular in places, thought a collage would sum up the feeling of walking round it.