MAFRA WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Inscription on the World Heritage List of the Royal Building of Mafra - Palace, Basilica, Convent, Cerco Garden and Tapada, in Mafra.

[…] Criterion (iv)
The Royal Building of Mafra reflects the concept of absolute power during the reign of King João V, as well as a strategy for consolidating the Portuguese empire, national sovereignty, affirmation of dynastic legitimacy and rapprochement with international sources of authority, namely the Papacy in Rome. The international dimension of the Portuguese empire and its sovereign is at the origin of the gigantic construction and the aesthetic choices made, advocating an avant-garde work, synthesising the best examples of Baroque architecture in the style of Rome. This cultural site displays characteristics that make it one of the most important Baroque buildings in Portugal and Europe, considering not only its size and constructive rigour but also some of the integrated pieces, such as the basilica's carillons and organs, musical ensembles of exceptional importance in the world. The Tapada is an example of large-scale landscape creation, forming a territorial management unit that is umbilically linked to the palace, convent and garden.

Integrity
Over time, the Royal Building of Mafra has maintained the characteristics that define its exceptional universal value. The work carried out over the centuries was designed to maintain the building, preserving its proportions and volumes, prolonging its life without altering its structure and physiognomy. What stands out is the coherence of the design, the rhythm, the symmetry, the aesthetic quality and harmony, the dignity of the work, the impeccable quality of all the details of the project and its execution, the constructive competence, the excellent distribution of resources, the prudent administration of the work and the efficient creation of spaces according to needs. Threats to the property are mainly related to temperature differences, wind and gusts full of salt spray from the Atlantic coast, and the danger of forest fires in summer.

Authenticity
During its 300 years of existence, the Royal Building of Mafra has not undergone any significant changes that would compromise its authenticity in design, form and materials, with only minor reversible adaptations. From the point of view of restoration and preservation, the most recent ones stand out: the intervention on the basilica's six organs, the restoration of the wall paintings in the Throne Room and the restoration of the carillons. Despite the political, economic and social changes that have taken place between the 18th century and the present day, the Royal Building has been adapted to different functions without losing its basic characteristics. Although it lost its function as a state residence as a result of the Implantation of the Republic in 1910, it gained museum status and public enjoyment, with the end of its function as a convent as a result of the extinction of the religious orders in 1834, it was adapted for use by military institutions. The Basilica ceased to be a royal chapel but retained its worship and became the seat of the parish installed there in 1836. The library still preserves its mission of supporting study and research.

[…] The cultural management of this Property is carried out by the services of the Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage [...], maintaining a constructive and open dialogue with all the partners involved in the management of the Property and the respective Special Protection Zone, in accordance with Decree-Law no. 309/2009, of 23 October, which establishes appropriate restrictions for the protection and enhancement of the areas surrounding cultural properties.

Locally, the integrated management of the property is guaranteed by the following organisations: the Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage/Palácio Nacional de Mafra; Mafra City Council; the Portuguese Army/School of Arms; the Tapada Nacional de Mafra; and the Patriarchate of Lisbon/Parish of Santo André de Mafra.