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The library of Mafra National Palace. Photo: xiquinhosilva from Cacau, CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:22563-Mafra_(48303853981).jpgDownload 1920px
Mafra Palace library
Mafra, Portugal, Shelves 1771; books moved in 1794
Closed Aug 2025 for conservation; reopening unconfirmed
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The record
Worth knowing
Mafra Palace library, worth knowing: Manuel II, the last Portuguese king, was staying at Mafra when he had to leave for exile on 5 October 1910.
Mafra Palace library, worth knowing: Since the Napoleonic invasions the palace has also housed military barracks.
Mafra Palace library, worth knowing: The heritage portal calls the library, with about 30,000 books, the largest bookstore in a single room in Europe.
Built
Mafra Palace library, built: shelves built 1771; books moved in 1794
Architect
Mafra Palace library, architect: Palace: Joao Frederico Ludovice; library shelving: Manuel Caetano de Sousa
Size
Mafra Palace library, size: 88 x 9.5 x 13 m
Volumes
Mafra Palace library, volumes: about 30,000 volumes
Mafra Palace library, volumes: over 36,000 volumes
Status today
Mafra Palace library, status today: Library closed to public from 20 Aug 2025 for conservation works (14 months contracted, EUR 2.7M); reopening announced for end of 2025 (stale; current state not verified)
What happened here
2025Mafra Palace library, closed, 2025: Library closed for conservation works from 20 Aug 2025
Photographs
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The Mafra palace library hall and its barrel vault. Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Biblioteca_do_Pal%C3%A1cio_Nacional_de_Mafra_-_Portugal_(28827783847).jpgDownload 1920px
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Library of the Mafra National Palace, Portugal. Photo: Rosino, CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MafraPalace-Library.jpgDownload 1920px
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Gallery and chandelier of the Mafra library. Photo: Concierge.2C, CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pal%C3%A1cio_de_Mafra_-_Biblioteca.jpgDownload 1920px
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Main facade of Mafra National Palace, Portugal. Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mafra_May_2013-2.jpgDownload 1920px
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Mafra National Palace with the basilica towers, seen from the square. Photo: Alexkom000, CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2025-12-30_Mafra_National_Palace.jpgDownload 1920px
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Mafra convent-palace with the basilica towers and the domed pavilion. Photo: Cssantos, CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Convento_de_Mafra,_Bas%C3%ADlica_de_Mafra_e_Pal%C3%A1cio_de_Mafra.jpgDownload 1920px
Books from this library
Sources
- https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pal%C3%A1cio_Nacional_de_Mafra
- https://www.museusemonumentos.pt/pt/museus-e-monumentos/palacio-nacional-de-mafra
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mafra_National_Palace
- https://observador.pt/2025/08/21/biblioteca-do-palacio-nacional-de-mafra-encerrada-ate-ao-final-do-ano-para-obras/
- https://www.museusemonumentos.pt/en/museus-e-monumentos/national-palace-of-mafra