A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019, Palácio Nacional de Mafra (visitlisboa.com) is the country’s largest and most important baroque monument. Its library, considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world, is partly responsible for the palace’s must-see status and perhaps the number one reason why people visit, although it's not yet affected by mass tourism.
Quick Tour of the Basílica
Most people skip the church (Basílica) and head straight to the palace. But, if you’re not in a hurry, visit the church first. It won’t take more than 30 minutes. Notice the Italian Carrara marble statues as you walk towards the entrance. In addition to the typically baroque white and red marble interiors and pastel-color frescoes, the six organs here are the main attraction.
The Palace & the Library
Return to the palace and make your way through grand salons, private chambers and long corridors. The rooms are sparsely furnished, but you can still imagine what 18th-century royal life was like from the few pieces available at their summer residence. Besides, in most areas, it’s the ceiling frescoes that demand your attention. And when it comes to attention-grabbing features, the hunting lounge is very much on theme with dead animal heads used for decoration, and you can’t avoid walking through it. The final room, and the one everyone wants to get to as soon as possible, is the library, one of the most important in 17th-century Europe. Admire the long, book-filled corridors from behind the velvet rope at the entrance.
