Attractions and Places To See around Sobral De Monte Agraço - Top 20

The National Palace of Mafra, located in the town of Mafra, Portugal, is a monumental complex that includes a palace, a convent, a basilica, and the Tapada de Mafra (hunting grounds). Construction began in 1717, commissioned by King John V of Portugal in fulfillment of a vow for the succession of his wife, and it is the most important monument of Portuguese Baroque. Since 2019, the Palace has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Just take a look in the mirror, and you'll recognize the true confirmation addict! Why are there two Andreas with the same profile picture? What's the point of these games? I document everything!

"He tried to outdo the Spanish king by building even bigger and more pompous buildings." A true role model!

Baroque architectural complex comprising a Palace, a Basilica and a Convent, together with gardens and a vast Tapada, forming a historical heritage complex covering over 1,200 hectares, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019. Built by order of King João V in fulfilment of a succession vow, Mafra Palace is one of the most important Baroque monuments in Portugal and one of the largest in Europe, occupying a construction area of 38,000 m2, with around 1,200 rooms, 5,200 doors and windows and 156 staircases. UNESCO has recognised this monument as a feat of architecture, engineering and human genius. Based on designs by Filippo Juvarra, its final design was carried out by the German Johann Friedrich Ludwig (João Frederico Ludovice) and construction was led by the kingdom's chief engineer, Custódio Vieira. The first stone was laid on 17 November 1717 and the Basilica was consecrated on 22 October 1730. The Basilica, inspired by the great churches of Rome, has one of the most significant collections of Italian sculpture of its time, with 58 statues, a large crucifix with archangels in adoration and three high reliefs, as well as an important collection of paintings, representing some of the most famous painters active in Italy and France in the early 1730s. The collection of vestments and liturgical implements is also very significant, due to its quality and rarity. The Palace Library is one of the most iconic spaces in the monument. With a refined selection of around 30,000 volumes, it is one of the exponents of Enlightenment knowledge representative of the court culture of the first half of the 18th century. Also noteworthy is the bell ringing ensemble, with 120 bells, which include two of the largest carillons of the 18th century, cast in Antwerp and Liège in the workshops of Willem Witlockx and Nicolas Levache, respectively. The bells are accompanied by two clocks dating from the first half of the 18th century, as well as four automatons for automatic music. Inside the Basilica is a set of pipe organs, unique in the world, consisting of six instruments designed to play together, built between 1792 and 1807 by the Portuguese organ builders António Machado e Cerveira and Joaquim Peres Fontanes. The Mafra Palace has been a member of the Association of European Royal Residences since 2009.

There used to be a bandstand on this square. This is where the festivities for the inauguration of the lights were held. Today it is a central square that, in addition to a few shops, also has a monument to Joao V.

Monument to the then King Joao V...a generous king but also a womanizer. He was particularly fond of nuns, four of his illegitimate children were born to nuns. He had the Palace of Mafra built in the 18th century. He tried to outdo the Spanish king by having it built even bigger and more pompously.

Not there anymore... Demolished!!!

Mafra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace is always worth a trip to see it, to tour the rooms, visit the church and enjoy a Galao and a Tosta Mista in the café directly opposite. This stop is a highlight for all cyclists on the various tours around Mafra.