Mafra Things to Do Tips by bambino36

Mafra National Palace

The impressive Mafra National Palace was commenced in 1717 in the reign of D. João V. This Baroque Palace when finished was enlarged to include 880 rooms and 330 cells for its monks. It also includes a small hospital and pharmacy, and a prize library. The Palace was inaugurated in 1730 with a celebration that lasted eight days that included some of the 52.000 workmen who had been involved in its construction.

During its long history the Palace has been mainly used by the Royal Family as a home when hunting in its adjoining forest for deer and wild boar. The monastery was abandoned in 1834 after the dissolution of all religious orders. The Royal quarters were last used by King Manuel II as an overnight resting-place on his escape to England in 1910 aboard his yacht moored at the nearby port of Ericeira.

Opening hours: 10am til 17pm (last entry at 16h30pm)
Closed on Tuesdays
The visit costs 4 €

Address: Terreiro de D. João V

Phone: (+351) 261 817 550

Windmills of Malveira

Malveira is a small village located 8Km distance from Mafra. In this village, up in the hill we can find several windmills.

Igreja de Santo André

This small temple is dedicated to Saint André, but even if it's small, it has a heavy look due to it's romanesque-gothic style, dating back from the 13th century.

Address: Rua Pedro Julião

D. João V Statue

D. João V (1689-1750) was the King that ordered the construction of the Palace.
In October 1708 he married Mary Anne, daughter of Leopold I, thus strengthening the alliance with Austria. The series of unsuccessful campaigns which ensued ultimately terminated in a favourable peace with France in 1713 and with Spain in 1715.
The rest of his long reign was characterized by royal subservience to the clergy, the kingdom being administered by ecclesiastical persons and for ecclesiastical objects to an extent that gave him the best of rights to the title "Most Faithful King".

Address: Terreiro de D. João V

Directions: Right on the other side of the road in front of the National Palace.

Jardim do Cerco

Created in between the National Palace and the Tapada de Mafra this garden has the ability to join these two values, the architectonic and the ecologic.
As a baroque garden it has wide walkways in order to be possible to walk while talking, admiring the garden and it's statues.

The entrance is free and the garden is open everyday from 9am til 17pm

Address: Largo General Humberto Delgado

Phone: (+351) 261 813 399