Mafra - Palácio Nacional de Mafra
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History
The Palácio Nacional de Mafra was founded in 1717 by Joao V and his queen, Maria Ana of Austria, in fulfilllment of a vow made in 1711 and in thanksgiving for the birth of an heir (later José I). It was built by a force of as many as 50,000 workmen under the direction of the Italian trained German architect Johann Friedrich Ludwig and his son Johann Peter Ludwig and consecrated in 1730, although it was 1750 before the whole complex was finally complete.
The monastery buildings were originally occupied by Franciscans but in the late 18th C. were transferred to the Augustinians. When the monastery was closed following the dissolution of all religious orders in 1834 parts of it were allocated to the army.
The former royal apartments were hardly ever occupied. King Joao V and his Queen spent only a few days here, and it wasn't until the early 19th C. that the palace enjoyed its brief heyday when Joao VI resided here in 1806-07. With the approach of French troops the royal family made a hurried departure from the palace, en route for Lisbon and subsequently Brazil, taking most of the valuable furnishings and works of art with them.
The Palácio Nacional de Mafra was founded in 1717 by Joao V and his queen, Maria Ana of Austria, in fulfilllment of a vow made in 1711 and in thanksgiving for the birth of an heir (later José I). It was built by a force of as many as 50,000 workmen under the direction of the Italian trained German architect Johann Friedrich Ludwig and his son Johann Peter Ludwig and consecrated in 1730, although it was 1750 before the whole complex was finally complete.
The monastery buildings were originally occupied by Franciscans but in the late 18th C. were transferred to the Augustinians. When the monastery was closed following the dissolution of all religious orders in 1834 parts of it were allocated to the army.
The former royal apartments were hardly ever occupied. King Joao V and his Queen spent only a few days here, and it wasn't until the early 19th C. that the palace enjoyed its brief heyday when Joao VI resided here in 1806-07. With the approach of French troops the royal family made a hurried departure from the palace, en route for Lisbon and subsequently Brazil, taking most of the valuable furnishings and works of art with them.
Things to See
Address:
Palácio Nacional de Mafra, Terreiro de Dom João V, Mafra , Portugal
Hours:
10am-1pm, 2pm-5:30pm; Closed: Tue
Always closed on: May Day / Labor Day (May 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Easter - Christian
Guides: Guided tour included with admission.
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