Lisbon
All sorts of experiences within a short distance range.
Mafra
José Franco Museum Village
José France built a miniature replica of an outer Lisbon village at Sobreiro, on the road between Mafra and Ericeira. The miniature rural scenes and animated figures recreate the practices and customs of the region. Visitors can also travel back in time to an old-style schoolroom, a barber-dentist’s shop and Auntie Helena’s grocery store.
Tapada Nacional de Mafra
King João V, “the Magnanimous” (1689-1750), commissioned the construction of the Palace-Convent in the town of Mafra to meet a promise he made prior to the Queen making him heir to the throne.
This grandiose monument, built at a time of great royal prosperity resulting from the exploration of gold and diamonds in Brazil, represents a high-water mark in the Portuguese Baroque.
The National Hunting Grounds of Mafra were established in 1747 with the objective of providing surroundings appropriate to the Monument along with providing a recreational hunting ground for the King and his Court and in addition to supplying firewood and other products to the Convent.
Covering an area of 1,187 hectares, the Royal Hunting Grounds of Mafra were entirely surrounded by a worked limestone wall across a length of 16 Km.
National Palace of Mafra
Virtual Tour
Church | Ground floor | 1st floor
The National Palace of Mafra was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019.
The Royal Palace occupies the noble floor of the Mafra building and the 2 turrets.
The north turret was occupied by the king and the south turret by the queen, and both turrets are linked by a 232-metre gallery – making it Europe’s largest palatial corridor. This building, of about 40,000 m2, housed a Franciscan convent (300 fryers) – and features Campo Santo, the Infirmary, the Elliptical Hall (capitular), the Literary Acts Hall, the Stairway and the Dining Hall.
It boasts a large library thought to be one of the most beautiful in the world. The Royal Building has two carillons with 98 bells – the largest of its time. The Basilica’s 6 organs are pieces of unique heritage worldwide.
The Royal Convent and Palace of Mafra is the most important baroque monument in Portugal. The building covers an area of almost four hectares (37.790 m2), including 1.200 rooms, more than 4.700 doors and windows, 156 stairways and 29 inner yards and courtyards.
Such magnificence was only possible due to the Brazilian gold that poured into the country, allowing the King to carry out his patronage of the arts and the strengthening of royal authority.
TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 27 reviewsPASSION, CHALLENGE, ADVENTURE and EMOTION are just some of the feelings that the Whale Cave Adventure Park brings to its customers, with the maximum safety and comfort.
TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 107 reviewsVisit Mafra, with its palace and park, and don’t forget to see the Jardim do Cerco, a sublime and original Baroque garden that combines nature with agriculture and gardening.
TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 365 reviewsThis miniature reconstruction of a village on the outskirts of Lisbon can be found on the road linking Mafra to Ericeira.
TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 1224 reviewsBuilt by order of King João V, consists of a Royal Palace, a basilica, a convent and a game reserve. Highlights include 2 carillons, 6 historic organs, a library and an 18th century infirmary.
TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 102 reviewsJust 30 minutes outside Lisbon, this estate nestles amongst vineyards, forests and orchards.
TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 171 reviewsSurrounded by gardens, this property is situated in a historic farmhouse, 12 km from Mafra National Palace and Torres Vedras.
TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 219 reviewsNatural heritage with unique characteristics and home to deer, fallow deer, wild boar, foxes, birds of prey alongside the many other species.