Mafra Palace-Library
Palaçio Nacional e Convento de Mafra, Terreiro Dom João, Mafra 2640-492
Phone: +351 261 817 550 - Fax: +351 261 811 947
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The magnificent Library is considered one of the finest in Europe and it is arguably the palace’s greatest treasure. Designed in rococo style by Manuel Caetano de Sousa (1738-1802), it is 88 metres long, 9.5 metres wide and 13 metres high with a multi-coloured chequer pattern marble floor. The exotic carved wooden bookcases house some 40,000 books with gold embossed leather bindings. Amongst the rare items are the 21 foreign incunabula and 41 maps as well as a prized first edition of Luis Camões’ (1524-1580) epic poem ‘Os Lusiadas’ published in 1572.
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