Mafra Palace: A Baroque Jewel
-
Hafen
Lissabon, Portugal
-
Aktivitätsebene
Moderate
-
Ausflugstyp
All
-
Rollstuhlgerecht
No
-
Ab
$159
-
Mindestalter
Information Not Currently Available
-
Reisedauer
Approximately 4 Hours
-
Mahlzeiten inbegriffen
Meals not included
Visit Mafra Palace — a remarkable example of Baroque architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 1711 by King João V, Mafra is known for its elaborate decorations and symmetrical design. The former royal estate occupies almost 3,000 acres.
Inside the palace, you'll find one of the most beautiful libraries in Europe. It contains around 30,000 volumes, including unique or very rare copies of some 16th-century books. Oddly, the preservation of these ancient works is the responsibility of an army of tiny bats that hunt the paper-eating insects each night.
The Basilica's bell towers hold 98 bells — one of the largest sets of bells in the world — and six historic organs. If you're lucky, you may hear the bells chime. Keep in mind that these are the very same bells that tolled when Napoleon was defeated by the English army here in the 18th century.
Take some time in Mafra town to explore the traditional streets and cafés. You'll have a chance to taste Mafra bread (at your own expense) — Portugal's most famous bread — or the traditional egg-and-almond candy called Fradinho.
Notes:
Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Wear sturdy non-skid walking shoes. Tour does not operate on holidays. Please also note that the Basilica inside the Palace is currently closed for renovations