Photography: Massimo Listri / Taschen
The Library of the National Palace of Mafra is temporarily closed to the public due to conservation and restoration works that are expected to continue until the end of the year, announced Museums and Monuments of Portugal – MMP.
According to the body of the Ministry of Culture, “the reopening of the palace library is scheduled for the end of the year.” During this period, general admission tickets to the monument will be sold at half price. “Taking into account the reduced visiting circuit – with the Basilica and the Library temporarily inaccessible –, general admission tickets to the palace will have their price reduced by 50%”, reads the MMP’s announcement.
one of the most important symbols of Portuguese heritage
The closure is part of “a broader effort to provide this icon of Portuguese and world heritage with better conditions of safety, preservation, and enjoyment for all visitors.”
In February of this year, the municipality of Mafra began rehabilitation works on the Basilica, the Library, and the surrounding exterior areas of the National Palace, in an investment of 5.6 million euros, explained at the time to Lusa news agency by the mayor, Hugo Moreira Luís.
In August, the Municipal Council launched a public tender worth 2.8 million euros for conservation and restoration works on the Basilica and the Library of the national monument, contracts that were awarded for 2.7 million euros with a 14-month execution period.
Palace of Mafra – ph. CMMafra
These interventions are financed by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), which foresees a total investment of around 13 million euros in the monument.
The most significant heritage of the National Palace of Mafra includes the largest set of bells in the world, composed of two carillons and 119 bells — divided between hour bells, liturgical bells, and carillon bells —, six historic organs, and the library. The site will also house the National Museum of Music, which will feature one of the richest collections of musical instruments in Europe, with about one thousand pieces dating from the 16th to the 20th centuries, representing both scholarly and popular traditions.
Classified as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in July 2019, the National Palace of Mafra is considered one of the most important symbols of Portuguese heritage.
Esta publicação também está disponível em | This article is also available in: Portuguese (Portugal)
