Batalha Monastery (Monastery Santa Maria da Vitória) - 2 centuries to build and still unfinished - Portugal - TravBuddy

When you want to see something Portuguese and Gothic architecture, a Portuguese would suggest a visit to the Batalha monastery or Monastery Santa Maria da Vitória. The next word though is "unfinished" eventhough its construction almost spanned 2 centuries (1386-1517), spanning the reign of 7 kings and taking enormous efforts of 15 architects. It was built by order of King John I in gratitude for his glorious victory over the Castilian army in the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, which brought Portugal its independence from Spain. It's being unfinished made the Batalha monastery unique and was added by UNESCO on it's World Heritage sites.

The exterior was made of limestone that has turned yellow orche after the long years. The chapel also shows a good example of the Manueline style which can be seen from its doorway at the west portal that has been built in a succession of arches and slender columns which has been meticulously decorated A part of it called the Chapter House is famous for its amazing vaulted ceiling. Without any central support, it’s one of the most daring examples in European Gothic architecture. According to legend, its architect, Afonso Domingues, slept under it for 3 days just to prove that it would not fall down.