Mafra Palace: A Baroque Jewel of Portuguese Splendour
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Port
Lisbon, Portugal
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$140
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Today, Mafra Palace stands as a remarkable example of Baroque architecture and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built in 1711 by King João V to fulfil a vow for the birth of his first-born child, the Palace of Mafra is the most important monument of the Portuguese Baroque, characterized by its elaborate decorations and symmetrical design. The former royal estate occupies more than 1200 hectares, and the palace has an area of about 38,000 sqm, making this monument one of the largest in Europe. Inside is one of the most beautiful libraries in Europe, with around 30,000 volumes that contain unique or very rare copies from the 16th century, books with gold-engraved leather covers where centuries of knowledge, culture, and wisdom are compiled.
The preservation of these ancient works, meanwhile, is the responsibility of an army of tiny bats that hunt the insects that eat paper at night. The Basilica's bell towers hold one of the largest sets of bells in the world, with a total of 98 bells; and inside this royal chapel, six historic organs, installed in the 18th century, which returned to echo in the Basilica after its complete restoration in 2010. We may have a chance to hear the same bells that echoed when Napoleon was defeated by the English army in the 18th century.
After the visit, take some time to explore the traditional streets and cafés, where you can sit back and enjoy the esplanades facing the imposing palace and taste Mafra bread, Portugal's most famous bread, or the traditional egg and almond sweets "Fradinho."