Mafra
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MAFRA

Mafra town is located 39 kilometres (24 mi) Northwest of Lisbon and has become famous as the home of Portugal's largest building and possibly the most extravagant; the mighty Palácio Nacional de Mafra. Although the palace's massive façade dominates much of the town, there is a good selection of cafés and restaurants opposite the Praça da República and further into the centre of town. MADABOUTSINTRA.COM is your indispensable guide to help your trip go smoothly. Check out our guides about what to see, where to go, where to sleep and where to eat. You'll also find several suggested tours designed to take the effort out of visiting attractions.

MAFRA PALACE ENTRANCE TICKET

National Palace of Mafra (Palácio Nacional e Convento de Mafra) Skip The Line Ticket

ONLINE TICKET

With this entrance ticket you can gain entry to the National Palace of Mafra at your leisure. Buy online before you arrive to avoid queues and have the convenience of the e-ticket on your phone…

Book with confidence with the FREE CANCELLATION option.
•  Kids under Five get in free, no ticket required
•  If your plans change we have you covered with the option to cancel and get a full refund

Opening Times

Wednesday – Monday: 09h00 - 13h00/14h00 – 18h00, Tuesday: CLOSED

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Contact Details
Terreiro D. João V, 2640-492, Mafra, Portugal.
38° 56' 12.8"N | 09° 19' 40.2"W | +351 261 817 550
geral@pnmafra.dgpc.pt |  Website

Mad About Sintra

NATIONAL PALACE OF MAFRA (PALÁCIO NACIONAL E CONVENTO DE MAFRA)

Mafra Palace – Front Elevation

Mafra Palace – Front Elevation


This vast 18th Century Baroque building encompasses a Royal residence, a Basilica and a Convent. It houses Italian sculpture, Italian and Portuguese paintings, a library, two tall bell towers, six organs and an 18th-century hospital. King D. João V and Dona Maria Ana of Austria founded it in fulfilment of a vow made in 1711. After enduring three years of childlessness, the royal couple swore an oath to build a great monastery at Mafra if gifted with childbirth. The foundations were laid on the day of Dona Maria Pia's birth in 1717 AD.

The design features an obsessive use of geometry and symmetry across 40,000 sq. metres (48,000 sq. yards). The footprint is a near square at 251 metres (825ft) long by 221 metres (725ft) wide. It has over 4,500 windows and doors throughout 1,200 rooms connected by over 150 flights of stairs. The building is faced with local stone. The whole complex was designed to impress, surpassing all other existing buildings. Mafra is a superlative example of Baroque opulence and boasts the wealth and power of the Portuguese crown at the time. It was financed from gold pouring into royal coffers from Brazilian mines. Despite this great influx of wealth, King D. João V almost bankrupted Portugal with his ambitious architectural works, such as the one at Mafra.


CONSTRUCTION

The King deemed the original plans drawn up by the German architect Ludwig too modest and rejected them. The Italian architect Frederico Ludovice was employed and added an Italian feel to the design. During the height of construction, over 15,000 masons, artisans and sculptors were working on the project. It's rumoured that a garrison of 6,000 troops camped onsite to ensure law and order. Although the majority of construction was completed by 1730, work would continue until 1755, five years after King D.João V's death. Following the devastation wreaked by the Great Earthquake, they reassigned the builders to rebuild Lisbon.

TOP TOURS OF MAFRA

Lisbon: Private Mafra, Ericeira, and Queluz Tour

Mafra, Ericeira, and Queluz Private Tour

After being collected from your Lisbon accommodation, this eight-hour tour will begin with a Mafra Palace tour. Your tour will then progress towards the beautiful fishing village of Ericeira, which is very close to Sintra and Mafra. Its centre, which is older and more typical, allows visitors to walk through narrow winding streets that reflect back to older times.

Following Ericeira, you will discover the Queluz Palace, which is an 18th-century palace that was built as a summer nook for D. Pedro de Bragança.

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Lisbon: Royal Palaces Tour

Lisbon: Royal Palaces Tour

Explore the Royal Palaces of Lisbon and their surroundings, which are filled with stories, myths, and legends. See wonderful monuments during an amazing day of sightseeing. Start at the National Palace of Queluz. Then head to the Park and National Palace of Pena in the Sintra Municipality. Finally, end at the Palacio Nacional de Mafra.






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Discover Amazing Óbidos and Historic Mafra

Discover Amazing Óbidos and Historic Mafra

Discover the palace of Mafra, a magnificent building that was only possible due to the Brazilian gold which poured into the country. You will be walking along the longest corridor ever built in a palace (232 meters long).

Then explore Óbidos, conquered by Portugal's first king, D. Afonso Henriques, on January 11th, 1148. Since then, Óbidos continues to be part of Portugal´s history. Here you will visit the various highlights of the fortified village of Óbidos. Walking inside the village also allows you to taste the Ginjinha and other local goods and crafts.

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THE ROYAL RESIDENCE

Although only designed as a summer residence, nothing less than 666 rooms would do for the comfort of royal living. The King and Queen, being pious, had separate quarters in two large pavilions at the front corners of the palace. A church stands at the centre of the two 220-metre-apart towers. Joining corridors allowed the royal couple to observe church services without leaving their royal chambers.
Portuguese, Italian and French art adorned the royal residences, including works by Cirilo Volkmar Machado and Domingos Sequeira. The royal family quickly left for Brazil upon Napoleon's troops' arrival, taking valuable items with them. However, there remain many considerable pieces. Mafra served as a Royal residence until the end of the Portuguese monarchy. King Manuel II spent his last night there before leaving for exile in 1910.


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Mafra Palace - Royal Residence

Mafra Palace interior

Mafra Palace Basilica

Mafra Palace Basilica

THE BASILICA

The consecration of the Basilica occurred on the 22nd of October 1730, the King's 41st birthday. Unique organs were created by António Machado Cerveira and Peres Fontanes. They played together for the first time on the 15th of May 2010 following a restoration programme. In addition to the organs, Mafra has a set of two carillons consisting of forty-nine bells, each housed on either side of the main façade. In the main chapel, a painting by Francesco Trevisani represents the Virgin, Jesus and St. Anthony, the church's patron. The marble retables of the side chapels, Holy Family (south) and Blessed Sacrament (north) and the six collateral chapels, are attributed to Alessandro Giusti from the Mafra School of Sculpture. The Basilica's other highlights are the ensemble of statues made by Italian masters, the most significant collection of Baroque Italian sculptures outside Italy.


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THE MONASTERY

Initially designed to home only 13 monks, Mafra's project experienced successive changes, ending in a huge building of approximately 40.00 m2, with all the facilities for 300 Franciscan monks. The King ensured the support of the convent by financing the project from his treasury. Monks received alms twice a year, at Christmas and St. John's Day. The alms consisted of tobacco, paper, linen and burel cloth for making habits. Each brother received two habits that he had to wash and mend himself. 120 wine barrels, 70 olive oil barrels, or 600 cows, for instance, were spent each year in the Monastery.

Nearby was the fenced garden, with an orchard, several water tanks and four ballgame fields for the monks' recreation, one for the ring game and two to play a traditional game called "laranjinha". In the early 19th century, during the Peninsular War, the convent was occupied by French troops and later by British allied troops. After the dissolution of the religious orders in Portugal, on 30th May 1834, the Monastery was allocated to the army. Today it remains the headquarters of the School of the Arms. Visitors can visit the Cemetery Chapel and the Infirmary, besides the Chapter Room, the Literary Acts (Examination) Hall, the La Lys staircase and the Refectory.

Mafra Monastery

Mafra Monastery"

Mafra Library

Mafra Library

THE LIBRARY

Occupying the eastern wing of the Mafra complex is the impressive 83-metre main room of the extensive library, easily Portugal's most important monastic/royal library from the 18th century. Monks from the Convent of Arrábida organised the 40,000 volumes into a collection that still survives. The valuable collection includes 16th, 17th and 18th-century books, many of which are extremely rare, such as the Nuremberg Chronicle (1493), the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum by Ortelius (1595) and the Diderot et d'Alembert Biographie. Also, a collection of scores from musicians such as João de Sousa Carvalho or Marcos Portugal was composed expressly for Mafra's six organs.

In common with the Joanina Library at Coimbra's University, there's a colony of bats that live in the library and who keep insect damage down to a minimum. These busy bats are let out every night and can eat up to twice their body weight in insects. For over 300 years, this natural form of pest control has been used. Each night, workers cover the credenzas with sheets of leather. Every morning the library is cleaned of bat guano.

Wednesday - Monday: 09h00 - 13h00/14h00 - 18h00, Tuesday: CLOSED.

Adult: €6.00, Child under 6: FREE, Lisbon Card Lisbon Card: FREE

Getting There
Campo Grande (Mafrense)


Contact Details
Terreiro D. João V, 2640-492, Mafra, Portugal.
38° 56' 12.8"N | 09° 19' 40.2"W | +351 261 817 550
geral@pnmafra.dgpc.pt |  Website

AMENITIES

There are plenty of various types of eateries in close proximity of the Palace.

There are toilets in the palace in various places.

There is free car parking to the side of the palace.

Work is currently being carried out to make Mafra Palace fully accessible for those with reduced mobility and wheelchairs.

National Palace of Mafra (Palácio Nacional e Convento de Mafra)

National Palace of Mafra aerial

NATIONAL PARK OF MAFRA (TAPADA NACIONAL DE MAFRA)

Tapada Nacional de Mafra

Tapada Nacional de Mafra

Five miles north of Mafra is the former Royal Hunting grounds, which are now a place of relaxation and conservation. Created in 1747, an 819-hectare estate served the needs of the Palace, royals, and courtiers. It was a favourite playground for King Carlos before he succumbed to a bullet. Nowadays, it has a significant biodiversity, including rare flora and fauna spread over a varied landscape. Living within its vast forested areas are various species of deer, wild boar and even the elusive Iberian lynx. The park is laid out with a series of walking paths, mountain bike trails and a host of activities for the public to enjoy. Also found within the grounds are the remains of defensive walls and ruined forts known as the Linhas de Torres, built during the Napoleonic Wars to defend Lisbon.
Weekdays: 09h00 - 17h00, Weekends: 09h00 - 18h000.


Contact Details
Tapada Nacional de Mafra - Portão do Codeçal - 2640-602 Mafra, Portugal.
38° 57' 52.8"N | 09° 18' 09.8"W | +351 261 810 100
geral@cm-mafra.pt |  Website

CHURCH OF SANTO ANDRÉ

Within the old town is a charming 13th-century Gothic church recently restored. Inside, the Church of Santo André is the tombs of Dom Diogo de Sousa and his wife. Archaeological excavations have discovered that, in the 17th century, it was subjected to alterations, as exemplified by the construction of the domed roof. However, by the end of the 19th century, it lay derelict. Restoration work started in 1903 and continued until 1930. Five years later, the Church of Santo André became a national monument.

Contact Details
Praça do Município, 2644-001, Mafra, Portugal.
38° 42' 29.8"N | 09° 08' 21.7"W | +351 261 810 100
geral@cm-mafra.pt


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Church of Santo André

Church of Santo André

IBERIAN WOLF RECOVERY CENTRE

Iberian Wolf Recovery Centre

Since 1987, the Iberian Wolf Recovery Centre (IWRC) has been a sanctuary for this unique breed of wolf, which has seen its natural habitat disappear dramatically over the last few centuries. The 17-hectare park provides its resident wolves with the best care. The IWRC aims to create an awareness of the wolf in its natural state and captivity. During the visits, you will learn more about the Iberian wolf: its biology, ecology, behaviour and pack life, as well as the threats which face this elusive predator. The enclosures that the wolves occupy are large and densely vegetated, thus their observation can not be guaranteed. The IWRC is open to the public for guided visits on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays. All visits are subject to booking. The tours are made on foot through the public portion of the sanctuary and taking 90 minutes.
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: High Season: 16h00 - 20h00, Low Season: 14h30 - 18h000.

Contact Details
Quinta da Murta, Picão, 2665-150 Gradil, Mafra, Portugal.
38° 57' 38.5"N | 09° 16' 17.3"W | +351 261 785 037
crloboiberico@ciencias.ulisboa.pt |  Website

OUR SUGGESTIONS

Vila Mafra - Grill Terrace

Vila Mafra - Grill Terrace

This holiday home is set in a central location within Mafra town, Vila Mafra - Grill Terrace offers several townhouses, each with free WiFi, seating areas and a flat-screen TV. All units include a kitchen, a living room, a private bathroom and a terrace with views of the garden. A dishwasher and oven are also provided, as well as a coffee machine. In the garden, you can find barbecue and garden furniture for your comfort. The Palace is within a stone's throw, as are many amenities, including restaurants, cafés and supermarket.

11C Rua Domingos Dias Machado, 2640-534 Mafra, Portugal. | 38º 42' 19.4" N | 09º 23' 42.7" W



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Quinta do Brejo - Turismo Equestre

Quinta do Brejo - Turismo Equestre

Quinta do Brejo – Turismo Equestre is a farm with stables. It's surrounded by lush vegetation five and a half miles from Mafra. The Quinta comes with free WiFi access. Set within an inviting rural setting, a stay here is an ideal opportunity for relaxing and enjoying a spot of horse riding. Quinta do Brejo is comprised of typically Portuguese cottages with all the necessary commodities for an enjoyable stay. Its proximity to the sea lends it a natural beauty, which is characteristic of the region. A continental breakfast is served each morning. Guests can have horse riding lessons on-site, and the natural surroundings of Quinta do Brejo provides a beautiful setting for a walk. Ericeira beaches are a 20-minute drive from this farm, and Malveira Train Station is a five-minute drive away.

Rua Mestre Nuno Oliveira, Avessada, 2665-402 Santo Estevão das Galés, Mafra, Portugal.
38º 54' 48.15" N | 09º 15' 59.53"

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O Galo Da Manhã

O Galo Da Manhã

A small traditional Portuguese restaurant close to the Palace. The staff smiles are just as generous as their portion sizes yet surprisingly good value considering the location. Ignore the grumpy expression of the cockerel on their logo, I guess he didn't have a good morning.

Monday - Saturday: 11h00 - 15h00/18h30 - 22h00, Sundays: 11h00 - 15h00
13 Rua Primeiro de Dezembro, 2640-454 Mafra, Portugal. | 38º 56' 18.4" N | 09º 19' 41.1" W
+351 261 812 328


Fradinho

Fradinho

After walking around the Palace and Convent, you may feel you've burned up enough calories to be able to afford something naughty… if so, head straight to Fradinho. Their signature pastry is the Fradinho which is thought to have some connection with the convent at the palace, it acquired its name from the bakery's founder; Francisco Fradinho. In addition, there is a large selection of cakes and pastries on offer and good coffee to boot. The friendly staff are more than happy to advise and make suggestions.
28-30 Praca da Republica, Centro, Mafra 2640-525, Portugal. 39º 39' 33.8" N | 08º 49' 28.3" W
+351 261 815 738 |  Website


Himitsu Sushi Bar

Himitsu Sushi Bar

Authentic Japanese cuisine in the heart of Mafra. The sushi and sashimi are excellently prepared and presented using only the finest fresh ingredients. The menu is varied and the staff are very friendly.
Daily: 12h30 - 15h00/19h30 - 23h00
Rua Serpa Pinto 19, Mafra 2640-534, Portugal. | 38º 57' 0.0" N | 09º 19' 59.9" W
+351 261 853 562 | himitsusushibar@gmail.com | Facebook

Mafra is 35.5km (22 miles) North West of Lisbon Portela Airport Website

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Mafra is 40km (25 Miles) North of Lisbon via the A8 and 14 Miles (22km) North of Sintra via the N9.
Latitude - 38º 42' 49.8" | Longitude - 09º 08' 20.3"

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Carris Metropolitana buses run regular buses from Lisbon, Sintra train station and Ericeira:
2626 – Mafra - Sintra
2740, 2741, 2751, 2803, 2801, 2803 – Mafra - Lisbon (Campo Grande)/Ericeira
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