A unique Story

The Municipality of Batalha offers visitors the charms of a unique landscape, allied to a vast heritage of great beauty, whether at the landscape, monumental or artistic level.

Exploring this territory is to discover chapters of history, art, landscapes and unique people who always leave a mark.

Batalha was a scene of memorable historical moments, with traces of occupation that comprises from the Paleolithic, passing through the Roman presence in the important city of Colippo, to the decisive struggles for independence. Those marks results in an unavoidable cultural heritage.

It was the victory of the battle of Aljubarrota on August 14th, 1385, which ordered the construction of the Monastery of Batalha, one of the most visited monuments of Portugal and a world heritage jewel. During the reign of D. Manuel I, Batalha was raised to Village, which brought several benefits.

TACHADÉU

Pig farming is more than a mere habit in this region, having quickly become a necessity for the people who live in the villages. Pig slaughtering was therefore established as as an event that took place with some frequency, leading to the conception of various snacks that are considered true, authentic delicacies and are very popular amongst the locals.

The famous “Tachadéu” was born from this tradition – pieces of pork fried in clay pot – which has since become one of the typical dishes in the parish of Reguengo do Fetal.

MORCELAS DE ARROZ (Rice black pudding)

Alta Estremadura is considered a region of excellence when it comes to producing rice black pudding, as approximately 20 different varieties of the sausage can be found thanks to it having become the symbol of the pig slaughterings.

In Batalha there are different types of rice black pudding, of which “white” black pudding stands out as a favourite. This type is traditionally from the parish of Reguengo do Fetal and doesn’t contain pig blood.

REGUENGO DO FETAL CAVACAS

Cavacas (a type of traditional Portuguese sweet glazed pastry) are one of the most characteristic delicacies of the Municipality of Batalha, more specifically of the Parish of Reguengo do Fetal. Older residents tell stories of the traditional cavacas,
which originally came from Ponte de Lima (a town in Northern Portugal) and were brought to Reguengo by Maria dos Ramos, who was originally from the small northern town.

Cavacas from Reguengo are very popular, especially on feast days for the villages in the Municipality of Batalha, as they are always perfectly presented, with immaculately white icing and a unique flavour and texture.

COD TIBORNADAS

Cod fish is a staple of Portuguese cuisine, and as such, no respectable restaurant would miss a cod dish off its menu. Cod “Tibornadas” (roasted pulled cod and potatoes tossed in olive oil, onion and garlic) are a particularly popular way to eat the traditional fish, thanks to the large variety of ways in which the dish can be made and its importance and popularity, which dates back generations.

Back in the days when olive oil plantations stretched for as far as the eye could see in the mountain villages, the farmers and their friends would all come together to feast, making roasted potato snacks to which cod would then be added. However, the olive oil was truly the cherry on the cake of this delicacy that delighted all those who tasted it.

ENOTOURISM

Having already won several prizes both in Portugal and abroad, wines from the Batalha Cooperative Winery have quickly become excellent ambassadors of the region, which boasts fertile soil and a temperate climate – both factors that have had a huge influence on the quality of the wine produced in the region. The best of the best of these wines are the “Real Batalha” and “Baga” wines, which are considered to be truly unique and are therefore the perfect way for visitors to get to know and truly taste the region.

Find out more at: www.adegadabatalha.pt

EVENTS

Throughout the year, the Municipality of Batalha hosts a diverse range of cultural events. Those who visit Batalha will have a whole host of events waiting for them, from handicraft and food fairs, to local product shows, historical reconstructions, theatre and folklore festivals, and concerts, among many others. And these activities are interspersed with the many religious and pagan traditions organised by the community – there’s never a dull day in Batalha!

CÂNTICOS DAS JANEIRAS (JANUARY SONGS)

The old “ Janeiras” tradition has been brought back in recent years, thanks to musical groups in the hills of São Mamede and Batalha coming together once again. The groups meet in front of the Paços do Concelho building every year to sing the “Janeiras” (January song) and wish their fellow townspeople a happy new year.

CARNIVAL PARADE

The ridicule and the originality shown by the Municipality’s Associations and Schools are put to the test every year in the carnival “corso” (Parade) that takes place in the Village of Batalha. Hundreds of townspeople take part in the parade of floats, which attracts a large audience of onlookers, making it one of the most watched parades in the region.

FEAST OF THE HOLY TRINITY

These festivities are held eight weeks after Easter Sunday, as per the church calendar. The celebration is based on a legend that explains how a pest of insects attacked the barns of Dominican friars, and how the tragedy was remedied. Due to the origins of the festival, blessed “merendeiras” (bread rolls) are thrown out during the procession when it passes through Carvalho do Outeiro road, which is in the centre of the town of Batalha. Onlookers catch and keep these “merendeiras” throughout the year, in order to keep moths and other insects out of their wardrobes. The festivities are an interesting religious celebration, where an “ Emperor” leads the procession of offerings with richly decorated trays.

THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF FETAL

Our Lady of Fetal is celebrated in September / October in the village of Reguengo do Fetal. In this town, the feast of the Lady of Fetal is a particularly beautiful celebration, thanks to the processions that carry the image of the Saint from the Parish Church to
the Chapel of Our Lady of Fetal, and then back again 8 days later. These processions have also become renowned thanks to the unusual way in which they are lit – through thousands of snail shells that decorate the floor, walls and hills of the mountain town.

“ENCAMISADA”

A guiding light for the people of Rebolaria, the “Encamisada” festival is held every two years and consists of a night parade during which the “angels” (children dressed in white and mounted on white donkeys) worship Saint Anthony. Residents decorate the village richly in preparation for this celebration.

FIABA – THE BATALHA HANDICRAFT AND FOOD FAIR

The Batalha Handicraft and Food Fair is an annual event organised by the Municipality where visitors and tourists alike delight in the region’s traditional food and handicrafts, as well as a whole host of options for entertainment. Craftsmen can be seen hard at work, and visitors can watch as typical dishes from all over the Municipality are made, as the food provided at the festival is made exclusively by organisations.

19th CENTURY MARKET

Every year, on one of the last Sundays of September, the town of Batalha welcomes a 19th century market into the Mouzinho de Albuquerque Square. This initiative brings together over 300 people from various folk groups in the municipality and the region. Products sold at the market include bread baked in woodfired ovens, barrels of wine, live animals, fruits and vegetables and traditional sausages from the region.

CELEBRATIONS IN BATALHA

In August, the Batalha Festivals bring the town itself and the surrounding municipality to life. The 14th August, which is the municipal holiday, is the main event, marking the Portuguese victory in the Battle of Aljubarrota. A celebration that really cannot be missed, the biggest names in Portuguese music are always present to perform the most memorable of concerts. This event also brings together hundreds of people who have moved away from the Municipality at the Annual Meeting of Emigrants and the showcasing of the municipality’s economic operations.

BOOK AND GAME FAIR

The Mouzinho de Albuquerque Square, which in the heart of the town of Batalha, hosts the Book and Game Fair every year. The event is very lively, with entertainment filling the streets in the form of various street theatre shows. At the Book Fair you’ll find a huge selection of books of the most diverse genres published by the publishers represented in the available spaces, among which are best selling Portuguese and international books.

Climbing

The Municipality of Batalha has excellent conditions for those who want to Climb and do any other similar sports, thanks to the diversity of the region’s landscapes and accentuated reliefs. Reguengo do Fetal is one of the best places in the country to do the extreme sport, providing visitors with over 100 climbing routes, which are each cataloged as to their varying degrees of difficulty. The significant differences in altitude between the routes, which range from 70 to 500 meters, make this a place of choice for all – from beginners to those who are more experienced.

Caravans

To travel through the Municipality of Batalha in a motorhome is the perfect way to discover a magical and ancestral land, with a diverse, unique heritage. The area has two free of charge, fully equipped service areas that guarantee all our visitors excellent conditions, whether for vehicle maintenance or an overnight stay. One of the service areas is located in the town of Batalha, in the Sports area, and the other in the Parish of São Mamede, in Largo da Feira.