Basilica - Mafra Palace, Portugal

It is the first time I had seen marble stone of different colours being used in such luxury and intricate design for flooring, walls, and ceilings. Starting in the Vestibule (Galilee Porch)/ entrance verandah where statues of St. Sebastiao and others were commissioned from various Italian masters. 

Though started construction 1717, to this day the Church is maintained very well. It is a pleasure to visit it. I felt a sense of calm and peace inside the church. If you happen to visit, please do spend some time in silence. Some places are for fun and enjoyment, and some are for pure experience and soak up the ambience. This is one such place. 

The Church measures 63m. in length, 16.5m wide and 21m. high in the nave.

Semi columns of fluted Corinthian style support the Barrel vaulted roof

 

King D.Joao VI commissioned 6 Organs for the Basilica

Palacio Nacional da Mafra (National Palace of Mafra), Portugal

Jo and I made a day trip to Mafra from Ericiera, where we were based. We took a bus. The distance was around 10 km. 
The Palacio Nacional da Mafra dominates the town and from anywhere you will see the towers, the dome, or the front facade. The town grew around it. There is a huge square in the front of the palace, giving it the distance and space to appreciate the size, grandeur, and magnificence of the palace. I was awestruck!
The monument comprises of the Royal Palace, the Basilica, and the Convent / Monastery. it is 3 in 1. I have too many photographs to fit into one post, so this post gives details of the outside and some info. The next post shows the interiors.

• The construction began in 1717 and completed in 1750
• The architect was Mr. Johann Friedrich Ludwig, a German master goldsmith, who trained as architect in Italy
• Built with local marble of different shades
• In the style of Baroque and Italianised neo classical architecture
• The palace complex occupies a vast area of 37,790 sq.m.  
• comprising of 12000 rooms
• The library consists of 40000 rare books
• It was a modest project to begin with. As the gold started pouring in from Brazil, the complex enlarged to a magnificent edifice
• Mafra palace was residence to the kings while hunting in the game preserve of Tapada Nacional de Mafra
• The length of front facade is 220m.
•  The facade is built with limestone and the Basilica in white marble
• Monastery part of the complex is used by the military

 

'5min from Ericeira- you'll love it!' - Pedros' airbnb in Ericeira, Portugal

There were a bunch of school / college students at the Sintra railway station helping the tourists. How nice that is!!!! They were in their uniforms, very friendly, and highly intelligent too. We were impressed. And they gave us correct directions to Ericeira, ie. take the train till Portela de Sintra, and catch a Mafrense bus to Ericeira. We did just that, and reached safely.

Let me clarify at the outset: It is Pedro's airbnb. He manages the site and bookings etc. But the day to day running of the homestay is done by Jose and Lourdes, Pedro's parents. 
On reaching Ericeira, we telephoned Jose for directions, and he came in person to the bus station to pick us up. Wow, that was more than called for. 
When was it the last time that you arrived at a homestay and a board in front of the house, says "Welcome, Joachim"? That is Jo's feedback on our stay at Pedro's airbnb in Ericeira, Portugal. 

   

 

This eclectic easy chair in the front verandah awaits our entry.

The staircase leading to the first floor is cladded with beautiful hand painted ceramic tiles.

I had not shot any photos of our room. But it was exactly like in the photos shown in airbnb. We were shown around the house and garden, and house was beautifully clean and well kept, with a big kitchen and a great garden all round the house.

Let me introduce Jose and Lourdes. They are standing behind bushes of hydrangea which were in full bloom. It was the first time I had seem the flowers in someone's garden. Jose and Lourdes are the warmest host we ever stayed with; Very friendly and helpful. Running a homestay was Pedro's idea. He wanted to have that experience and let out his room. Lourdes says that since she cannot go and see the world, the world is coming to her. What a profound thought! Yes, truly, people from every continent stayed with them. Infact they have put up a world map, and the guests have to pin the city they come from, onto the map. It is filling up fast! Started in 2015, they are busy through the tourist season. And why not, with their two delightful cats, world famous orange cake, home made jam, a beautiful garden to relax in!
There are several species of plants, other than hydrangea, lavender Hortense, lemon, Physallis, bougainvilleas etc. and carpet grass rest of the place. A love seat, a paved walkway and and green lawns make up the landscaping. At the end of the lawn is a pavilion or purgola under which garden chairs are kept. Lourdes lit candles at dinner time and the whole place became fairy tale like. we cooked breakfast and dinner in their kitchen and ate in the outside garden.

we stayed for two days with Jose and Lourdes. Jose insisted on dropping us to the bus station. As we were late by a few minutes, to our dismay, we missed the bus. Then he raced us to Torres Vedres train station from where we took the train to Obidos. Lourdes gave us a jar of home made jam and packed two pieces of orange cake for the journey. 

Thanks Jose and Lourdes. We decide to visit you on our next trip to Portugal.

Palacio Nacional da Pena or Pena Palace, Sintra, Portugal

Since we spent half a day at Monserrate park and palace, we had only a few hours left before we started on our onward journey. We had to make the chose of which one to visit. Out of all the tourist attractions left to visit, we chose Pena Palace. 
Believe me, it is a fairy tale place. All the stories you would have read as a child in which castles are there and their description matches this castle 100%. Though as a child you would not have visualized on such a grand scale!!!

 

One can see the tops of the castle from a long way, and the excitement builds up. You lose it as you take a turning and there it appears again...

For lack of time we had to miss the cloisters, the queen's terrace, , the chapel etc.

  

The above photographs from the brochure given at the entrance. 

  

It is a beautiful climb up to the castle. The retaining walls to the castle are still in good condition and well maintained.

The Park and the Palace are beautifully intertwined , the natural and the man made. Looking at the lush green trees and the landscape, to think it was a barren land originally is unimaginable...

Situated on hill, commanding a picturesque and scenic view of the country around, the various twists and turns one takes to reach the top is a great experience...

A 19th. century Romanticism, combining Moorish gates, onion shaped domes, arches, and hand made ceramic tile cladded facades, all blend beautifully with the bright yellow and red colours of the walls.

What is most amazing is the various architectural styles, all in one structure, exist side by side in harmony. There is no clashing of aesthetics. A treat to the eyes...

 

 

The last Portugese kings to live at Pena are Don Carlos 1 and Dona Amelia between 1889 - 1908 and Don Manuel 11 from 1908 - 1910.