Mafra National Palace

About

King John V made a vow to build a convent if his wife Queen Mariana gave him offspring. The birth of his first daughter prompted the construction of what was initially planned as a relatively small project. However, once gold from the Portuguese colony of Brazil began to arrive by the boatload, King John V changed his plans, and announced the construction of a sumptuous palace. Filling an impressive 40 000 square metres, it remains one of the largest royal palaces in Portugal. The imposing façade of the palace runs for 220 m, and faces the town of Mafra. At each end stands a square tower and in the centre, a magnificent church built in marble. It is hard not to get lost in the beauty and grandeur of this monumental structure, and is a must-see stop for travellers in the area.