Royal Building of Mafra – Palace, Basilica, Convent, Cerco Garden and Hunting Park ( Tapada ) World Heritage Site

Official name

Royal Building of Mafra – Palace, Basilica, Convent, Cerco Garden and Hunting Park ( Tapada ) | UNESCO

Country

Portugal | Map

Continent

Europe

Location

38.9371° Lat, -9.3255° Lon | Map

Code

1573

Time Zone

Europe/Lisbon (WET, +0000)

Current Time

Category

Cultural

Description

Inscribed 2019. Located 30 km northwest of Lisbon, the property was conceived by King João V in 1711 as a tangible representation of his conception of the monarchy and the State. This imposing quadrangular building houses the king’s and queen's palaces, the royal chapel, shaped like a Roman baroque basilica, a Franciscan monastery and a library containing 36,000 volumes. The complex is completed by the Cerco garden, with its geometric layout, and the royal hunting park ( Tapada ). The Royal Mafra Building is one of the most remarkable works undertaken by King João V, which illustrates the power and reach of the Portuguese Empire. João V adopted Roman and Italian baroque architectural and artistic models and commissioned works of art that make Mafra an exceptional example of Italian Baroque.