Convent in Mafra

Mafra is a city 15 minutes away from Ericiera. It has a really beautiful Palace. The palace, which also served as a Franciscan monastery, was built during the reign of King John V (1707-1750), in consequence of a vow made by the king in 1711, who promised to build a convent if his wife, the Queen Mary Anne of Austria, gave him descendants. The birth of his first daughter, the princess Barbara of Braganza, made the king initiate the construction of the palace. It is a really beautiful place to visit. There isn't much to say about it that I can think of. One thing to note however, is the massive library. It is sooooooooo beautiful. If you've ever seen the Disney cartoon of Beauty and Beast, it looks like the library the Beast gives Belle. No joke. I have never seen a library so big and beautiful. An interesting fact that I didn't know about this library until this time I visited, is that the reason the books are so well preserved is that bats live in the library. I know that sounds strange, but the little bugs that eat the pages of books which therefore would ruin them, are eaten by the bats that live there. Nobody knows how the bats came to be, but there they are. A true blessing to the library, keeping it preserved and beautiful. The only time the bats can be seen is when they hold concerts in the grand hall of the library. The vibrations make them come our of hiding and fly around the ceiling. That must be a site to see.
Another fact I didn't know, is that the library is still used today. By appointment only of course and under supervision. Also, not to ruin the old pages with the oil of our hands, gloves must be worn. How much would you love to skim through that old library!!  Ok, so basically, in case you didn't notice, the library was my favorite part of the visit!

Library.....awesome isnt it!?!?

Ni-xox-