On August 14, 1385, General Nuno Alvares led the forces of Joao I of Avis to victory over those of the Spanish pretender to the Portuguese throne. In gratitude to the Virgin Mary for assuring his victory, Joao founded the Monastery of Batalha (Battle) on the site of his triumph.

The construction of the cathedral took 200 years. The statue honoring General Alvares was erected in 1968.