Good afternoon, friends!
I'd like to share with you a ride I did on July 2nd, in which I went to Mafra. On that hot summer's day, I went for a short ride with my mother. We had already passed by Ericeira Beach, and then I drove "aimlessly"... When I took the A21, I wanted the bends and turns of the road to lead me to Mafra.
I ended up parking on Avenida 25 de Abril and immediately came across a large metal statue depicting a horse supported only by its hind limbs.
The sculpture, called "Cavalo Livre" (Free Horse) by Arnaldo dos Santos Batalha, was installed in 2017. And in my opinion, despite its uniqueness, it leaves something to be desired in its final appearance. But one thing's for sure, it's made the news, and those who pass by can't help but stop and admire the shine that the stainless steel gives off for a few moments.
Going up Avenida 25 de Abril, a wide, well-built avenue flanked by flower boxes proudly arranged at the lighting points, we come to Terreiro D João V.
Of course, once there, and even before taking it in completely, we are overwhelmed by the magnitude and grandeur of the Palácio Nacional de Mafra, or Convento Nacional de Mafra.
Baroque in style, with a strong influence of Roman and Germanic construction, the National Palace of Mafra, classified as a National Monument since 1907, has a history and legends associated with it, very old... older than its own construction!
One of the reasons for this had to do with the time of King João V and the Inquisition. According to the story in José Saramago's novel (winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1998), at the behest of King João V, he offered and ordered the construction of this magnificent structure as a promise for the continuity of his descendants and the possibility of him having children with Maria de Josefa... But history isn't really the subject of my post today, as you can probably guess.
It comprises around 1,200 rooms, more than 4,700 doors and windows, 156 staircases and 29 courtyards and halls (source). Its beauty, symmetry and centrality is indeed a source of pride and elegance, which is increasingly admired by those who pass through.
As it was a day when we could only visit the inside of the church, we decided to come back later, to see the whole of the palace, and perhaps on a cooler day.
It wasn't a particularly busy day as far as the number of visitors was concerned, and only those who had already bought tickets the days before could visit the (world-famous) carillon section.
Detail of the exterior sidewalk featuring the UNESCO design alluding to its elevation to World Heritage status in 2019
On the right-hand side of the Palace, on Rua do Canal, and in a small garden area, you can see the monument to the Valor do Infante.
The three characters invoke three infantrymen from three important periods in Portugal's history: the Battle of Aljubarrota, the Napoleonic or French Invasions (by the way, it seems that the film now being shown at the cinema has serious historical flaws, and we can't even find a reference to Spain or Portugal... ahaahh), and the period after April 25.
The green lawns flanking the Palace are very inviting for a brief moment's rest on the wooden benches distributed throughout the garden next to the School of Arms.
And just as my mother and I had finished sitting down, we were treated to a masterful piece played on the Convent's chime system... The slight breeze sometimes made some of the notes barely perceptible, but overall it was very pleasant to listen to.... and relax in the shade.
There was also time to buy an ice cream from a store on the avenue and stroll around Mafra's street market, which is held every first Sunday of the month. As well as regional and handmade products, they sell items that are of interest to those visiting Portugal, and not necessarily the Saloia region.
I hope you enjoyed seeing a bit of the exterior of the National Palace of Mafra. If you ever visit Portugal and pass through Lisbon, don't forget to come to Mafra and see one of the most emblematic works of architecture from the 18th century, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bem Hajam 🍀
Photographic edition with PhotoScape X
