The majestic and monumental architectural complex of Martha includes the royal palace, monastery and basilica. It was built in the Baroque style on the orders of King John V in fulfillment of a promise made to the Franciscan monks that he would build a monastery for them if their prayers would help him get the long-awaited heirs.
Famous European masters of sculpture and painting were invited to work on the palace, and huge funds received from the colonies were also spent. The palace is often compared with the Spanish palace-monastery Escorial - and this is not surprising, because the Portuguese king Joã o V wanted to build a more majestic and luxurious complex than in Spain. The Portuguese even joke that half of the gold of Brazil, which entered the royal treasury, went to the construction of the monastery, and the other half adorned the covers of books in the monastery library.
This grandiose construction was carried out at an accelerated pace and was a real school of construction in Portugal in the 18th century. All the innovations and skills gained during the construction process were applied in the reconstruction of Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake.
In the center of the complex is a basilica with two bell towers, which impresses with its beauty and richness. It houses the world's largest collection of Dutch-made bells and a unique group of six organs. Large marble altars are installed in the chapels of the monastery church, and a huge dome soars above.
In the monastic part of the Mafra ensemble, you must see a pharmacy with fancy medical instruments, a kitchen, a monastic hospital and an old rococo library with about 3.000 volumes of books that are still protected from insects by bats.
However, the most interesting in the Marfa complex are the royal chambers. The suite of halls of the palace is intended for royal audiences, ceremonial receptions, for games and leisure. The interiors of the Throne Hall, the Music Room, the Hunting Hall and other living quarters have been preserved in excellent condition.
Today in the palace you can see collections of products by Portuguese, Italian and French masters, made by order of the royals, as well as paintings and sculptures of the Baroque period, vestments of priests and objects of religious services, wall paintings made by outstanding Portuguese artists.
The National Palace of Mafra is open to the public, entrance to the basilica and garden is free, and a ticket to the palace and monastery will cost 6 euros.
Want to see with your own eyes - tours to Portugal, Travel Agency "Hot Line", www. hot. com. ua, +38(044)592-24-26, +38(050)418-7505, +38(067)440-3682
Famous European masters of sculpture and painting were invited to work on the palace, and huge funds received from the colonies were also spent. The palace is often compared with the Spanish palace-monastery Escorial - and this is not surprising, because the Portuguese king Joã o V wanted to build a more majestic and luxurious complex than in Spain. The Portuguese even joke that half of the gold of Brazil, which entered the royal treasury, went to the construction of the monastery, and the other half adorned the covers of books in the monastery library.
This grandiose construction was carried out at an accelerated pace and was a real school of construction in Portugal in the 18th century. All the innovations and skills gained during the construction process were applied in the reconstruction of Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake.
In the center of the complex is a basilica with two bell towers, which impresses with its beauty and richness. It houses the world's largest collection of Dutch-made bells and a unique group of six organs. Large marble altars are installed in the chapels of the monastery church, and a huge dome soars above.
In the monastic part of the Mafra ensemble, you must see a pharmacy with fancy medical instruments, a kitchen, a monastic hospital and an old rococo library with about 3.000 volumes of books that are still protected from insects by bats.
However, the most interesting in the Marfa complex are the royal chambers. The suite of halls of the palace is intended for royal audiences, ceremonial receptions, for games and leisure. The interiors of the Throne Hall, the Music Room, the Hunting Hall and other living quarters have been preserved in excellent condition.
Today in the palace you can see collections of products by Portuguese, Italian and French masters, made by order of the royals, as well as paintings and sculptures of the Baroque period, vestments of priests and objects of religious services, wall paintings made by outstanding Portuguese artists.
The National Palace of Mafra is open to the public, entrance to the basilica and garden is free, and a ticket to the palace and monastery will cost 6 euros.
Want to see with your own eyes - tours to Portugal, Travel Agency "Hot Line", www. hot. com. ua, +38(044)592-24-26, +38(050)418-7505, +38(067)440-3682
Translated automatically from Russian. View original
Comments (0)
leave a comment
Show other comments …