The dominant feature of the town of Mafra, lying in a crevice between the hills is a monastery, whose construction was begun in 1717 and completed only 18 years later. King João V made a vow to build a monastery in Mafra, if his wife Maria Anna of Austria gave him a son. The joy of the birth of a son corresponded to the grandeur of the project: the facade is 220 meters long, stone and marble used in an incredible number of statues, carved in Italy and delivered with great difficulty here safe and sound, the huge bell.

Rooms luxurious palace occupies the entire monumental western facade with the royal apartments at one end and the apartments of the Queen - in the other. The interior of the palace of the basilica, made of marble, contrasting colors, decorated with Baroque sculptures made by Portuguese artists of the XVIII century. The magnificent library with marble floors, wooden bookshelves Rococo holds more than 40 thousand books in leather and gold cases.