Mafra, Municipality in Lisbon District, Portugal
Mafra's National Palace combines a royal residence, monastery, and basilica in a 40,000-square-meter complex featuring approximately 4,700 doors and windows. The structure spans multiple levels and integrates religious and royal functions under one architectural ensemble.
King João V commissioned the Palace-Convent in 1711, funding its construction with gold and diamonds discovered in colonial Brazil. The building took decades to complete and reflects the wealth that Brazil brought to the Portuguese realm during this era.
The palace library holds rare manuscripts and books protected by a bat colony that feeds on insects threatening these ancient texts. The bats have become part of daily life in this space, showing how nature and human heritage coexist here.
The site sits about 30 kilometers northwest of Lisbon and is accessible via the A8 highway and public transportation. Visitors should allow plenty of time to explore all areas of this expansive complex and see the various rooms and sections.
The palace features two carillons totaling 98 bells and six historical organs capable of playing simultaneously, creating a musical combination found nowhere else. This setup demonstrates the importance of music at court and the technical skill of craftsmen from that era.
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