Description Mafra

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This town on the outskirts of Lisbon, in the so-called "saloia" Region, which supplied the capital with vegetables, is known for the imposing Palace-convent, the largest Portuguese building, built in the 19th century. XVIII by order of D. João V.

The King, who still had no children, three years after his marriage to D. Maria Ana of Austria, promised the Franciscan friars that he would build a convent in the town of Mafra, if their prayers for an heir to be born, were answered.

On the occasion of the birth of D. Maria Pia (her daughter), construction began on the building, whose initial project was quite modest. However, and after the hiring of the German architect Ludovice, the project underwent profound changes that were possible to materialize, given the greatness that was experienced in Portugal at that time, due to the wealth coming from Brazil. Thus, this grandiose monument was built (which, in addition to the convent for 300 friars, includes a basilica and a royal palace with 666 divisions), in a record time from 1717 to 1730 to be inaugurated on the date of the 41st anniversary of the King.

Attaches to the Convent, the Tapada de Mafra, acquired by D. João V in the middle of the century. XVIII, to enhance the framing of the building, it was used as a game reserve and is currently open to the public.

In the surroundings, worth visiting in the village of Sobreiro, the José Franco Ceramics Workshop, where you can enjoy the recreation of the most traditional aspects of the life of the villages in the region, in real size or through animated miniatures.

Close to Mafra, by the sea, the traditional fishing village of Ericeira is very popular as a seaside resort, and by surfers attracted by the excellent conditions that this beach and its neighbors (Ribeira de Ilhas, Lizandro) offer for the practice of this sport .