Mid this article has been rated as midimportance on the. See these beautiful pictures of mafra palace and you will. The most awesome library in the world is portuguese. Top 3 most enchanting libraries near lisbon discover walks blog. The library is located in the hofburg palace in vienna. Mafra palace library the most spectacular libraries in. Bats might be found winging their way around some special libraries in. The library was decorated in late baroque, or rococo, style. The mafra national palace was built to commemorate the birth of the portuguese king john vs first child, the princess infanta barbara. The impressive mafra national palace from the 18th century is known by its basilica with the carilons as well as the magnificent library. The enlightenmentera library pays tribute to them inside with a small exhibition. Mafra palace library the most spectacular libraries in the. Stunning pics of the austrian national library, inside the hofburg palace, vienna, in the beautiful city of wien where dancer against cancer takes place.
The north turret was occupied by the king and the south turret by the queen, and both turrets are linked by a 232metre gallery making it europes largest palatial. The mafra national palace library, mafra, portugal. The ten most beautiful school libraries in the world this has to be one of the most visually breathtaking libraries i. There are two 18th century libraries in portugal that are bugfree thanks to the bats that live there. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. The six organs in the basilica were built at the same time and originally conceived to play together. In addition to the national palace of mafra, you will find nature, culture, art and, very close, beaches. The mafra national palace has become home to one of the worlds most beautiful libraries.
The most awesome library in the world and the bats. This article is within the scope of wikiproject portugal, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of portugal on wikipedia. The mafra national palace in numbers a portuguese affair. Jan 27, 2016 jan 27, 2016 library of the mafra palace, mafra, portugal. Mafra national palace, portugal hisour hi so you are. We would have loved to sit there all morning with some of the books and have a good look through them. These portuguese libraries are infested with bats and they like it that way. Located about 25 miles north of lisbon is the town of mafra, known for.
C this article has been rated as cclass on the projects quality scale. Jan 27, 2016 that this library is in austria doesnt surprise me in the least. Here they developed an ingenious and quite ecological way to combat vermin and insect destruction of the books. National palace of mafra portugalvisitor travel guide. The mafra palace library keeps a colony of bats on hand to keep its books from.
Highlights include 2 carillons, 6 historic organs, a library and an 18th century infirmary. Colonies of bats save beautiful ancient books in historic libraries in portugal by. The palace has a library that would make any booklover quiver in joy. Its the amazing convents library, dating from 1771, which holds a collection of more than 36.
Bats act as pest control at the library of the palace of mafra in portugal. In fact, as book riot points out bats are kept in boxes during the day but at night they are let out and eat up to double their own body weight in insects. Bats act as pest control at two old portuguese libraries. Mafra national palace and library motorhome europe. Attesting its importance, a papal bull of pope benedictus xv, from 1745, allows this library to shelter the index of prohibited books and forbids under excommunication to anyone of any state or condition, in any time or in any way, to take, remove or lend from the library without the permission of the portuguese king, any printed books or manuscripts inhere stored. Mafra is known for its historicalartistic heritage and fantastic natural surroundings.
Some 125 miles to the south, just northwest of lisbon, another colony of indooroutdoor bats is in residence at the 300yearold library at the national palace of mafra. The austrian national library is the largest library in austria with million items in its various collections. The 8 most gorgeous libraries in the world kayak au. The wooden rococo bookshelves of the grand mafra palace library hold some 36,000. Rows of literature from floor to ceiling are always nice to look at, but these beautiful libraries will have you traveling across the world, basking in their culture and history. This is the library of the national palace in mafra, portugal.
Both built in the 1700s, the portuguese mafra palace library and the joanina. The bats help preserve old books but they drive librarians, well. Nov 15, 2017 mafra national palace library, portugal nestled in portugals mafra national palace a baroque masterpiece built in the 18th century by order of king joao v is the incredible rococo library. Mafra palace library mafra, portugal atlas obscura. In a glass case rest the taxidermized remains of three. Vaulted ceiling feature at library at mafra national palace, in lisbon, portugal. This elegant library is literally guarded by a colony of bats. Top 3 most enchanting libraries near lisbon discover. It features two floors made of white, rose and grey marble tiles with ornate wooden balconies along the top floors.
Among their tens of thousands of books are some truly rare copies like the first. Mafra national palace library, portugal beautiful library. The bats are kept in boxes during the day but at night they are let out and eat up to double their own body weight in insects. Two antique portuguese libraries use live bats as insect repellant. Since its opening in 1771, the mafra palace library has been home to a colony of tiny bats.
The palace has some 1,200 rooms of which the most impressive is the library, which dates from the 18th century and contains some 36,000 books and manuscripts. To the south, in mafra, a small colony of bats swoops among incunabula books printed prior to 1501 at the 18thcentury library at the national palace of mafra before flitting out into the nearseaside air. The mafra national palace used to be a royal convent, that was ordered by king john v of portugal after his wife gave birth to the first child. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks. Mafra national palace library by diogo nunes unsplash the palaces library, dating back to 1771, houses a collection of over 36,000 books. Jul 09, 2019 the library is known for homing bats which protect the books from insect damage at night, which is a very novel way of caring for the books. The palace is so large that the basilica in the middle of it only takes up a small portion of the facade. The mafra palace library keeps a colony of bats on hand to keep its books from being.
By looking down at the beautiful floor, the colorful marble will. Bats there are spaces behind the bookcases, between these and the walls, in which a resident bat population was allowed to live. Where, to keep books from being damaged by insects, they uses 500 bats. These portuguese libraries are infested with bats and. Palace of mafra immediately staked its claim as one of the national treasures of portuguese architecture.
Its a beautiful building constructed by and for the now abolished kings of portugal. The books include works from the 15th century, musical scores for the six organs in the basilica and a collection of incunabula books printed during the earliest period of typography in europe. To the south, in mafra, a small colony of bats swoops among incunabula books. Yes, the library at marfa palace actually has its own bat colony entrance fees for mafra palace. The six organs of the early nineteenth century who returned to play in 2010 after 11 years in recovery. However, this is only a portion of the 60,000 books, manuscripts and documents originally in the royal library. And one can imagine the little royal herself must have been delighted to explore its. Located about 25 miles north of lisbon is the town of mafra, known for its largest building. To the title of the most awesome library in the world was also contributed the other legends related to mafra national palace library. Sep 19, 20 at biblioteca joanina and the mafra palace library, both, curiously, located in portugal, and both built in the 18th century, small bats, about an inch long, act as guards against bookeating insects. The royal palace occupies the noble floor of the mafra building and the 2 turrets. These portuguese libraries are infested with batsand they. What stands out most in memory from my visit to the national palace of mafra is its library. The ten most beautiful school libraries in the world this has to be one of the most visually breathtaking libraries i have ever seen.
Mafra national palace library, portugal 20 of the most. Considering the fact that books from the past centuries, especially from the. Mafra palace library in mafra, portugal, tripitaka koreana in haeinsa, south korea, and the national library of china, beijing. When the portuguese royal family fled the napoleonic wars to brazil, they took thousands of literary works with them those works never returned to portugal and instead were used to found the national library of brazil. Rows of literature from floor to ceiling are always nice to look at, but these beautiful libraries will have you traveling across the world, basking in. The library is known for homing bats which protect the books from insect damage. At biblioteca joanina and the mafra palace library, both, curiously, located in portugal, and both built in the 18th century, small bats, about an inch long, act as guards against book eating insects.
Heres why bats are the best employees in these baroque. As the mafra national palace had a great need for sculptors, local and from abroad, it became the location of a sculpture academy headed by the italian alessandro giusti 17151799. Til that in mafras national palace library, was created a. Mafra national palace library, portugal nestled in portugals mafra national palace a baroque masterpiece built in the 18th century by order of king joao v is the incredible rococo library. At the rococo library in portugals mafra national palace, a colony of bats is allowed to reside in the library to eat the bookdamaging bugs. Remember the old saying, hes got bats in his belfry used when someone is acting oddly. These portuguese libraries are infested with batsand they like it. This vast complex includes a huge monastery, an ornate basilica and a library that contains over 36,000 ancient books and its own colony of bats. Bats act as pest control at the library of the palace of.
During the day the bats sleep behind the elaborate book cases, only emerging at night when the library is closed to hoover up all the pesky insects. Included in the visit is the basilica which has 6 organs from the 18th century. Biblioteca joanina, located on the grounds of the university of coimbra in the city of coimbra, and the palace library in the palace of mafra, not far from lisbon. Its one of two 18thcentury portuguese libraries where bats are.
It is very interesting, in great condition only 30 minutes away from lisbon by the a8 highway, impeccably clean, with a fabulous library with over 35,000 books. The volumes are wellpreserved, in part due to the resident bats. It is not a common means of controlling the pests, but the library at mafra national palace in portugal is an uncommon place. Aug 11, 2017 yes, the library at marfa palace actually has its own bat colony entrance fees for mafra palace. Bookeating pests would pose a great threat to these old tomes were it not for the inchlong bats who patrol the library at night. Til that in mafras national palace library, was created a controlled tiny ecosystem in which bats are kept in boxes during the day and then released at night to eat all the insects that harm the books. Jun 07, 2018 some 125 miles to the south, just northwest of lisbon, another colony of indooroutdoor bats is in residence at the 300yearold library at the national palace of mafra.
It was built in the baroque style in portugal not far from the capital lisbon. Aug 20, 2012 what stands out most in memory from my visit to the national palace of mafra is its library. Construction began in 1717 under king john v of portugal. The mafra national palace, the interior of the basilicas dome, a statue in the church. When the portuguese royal family fled the napoleonic wars to brazil, they took thousands of literary works with them those works never returned to portugal and instead were used to found the. This masterpiece of the baroque in portugal is the largest monument in the country and also one of the largest construction efforts ever built in portugal. The mafra school of sculpture was founded during the reign of king joseph i of portugal, successor of king john v. National palace of mafra portugalvisitor travel guide to. The royal monastic library of the national palace of mafra is one of the most important european libraries, with a valuable collection of c.
The library is known for homing bats which protect the books from insect damage at night, which is a very novel way of caring for the books. In this cosy village you can find a wide range of monuments and spots that are declared world heritage by unesco. The mafra palace library keeps a colony of bats on hand to keep its books from being destroyed by pests. That this library is in austria doesnt surprise me in the least. Mafra national palace hosts one of the most beautiful. Austria library of policitians palace, except without the weird statue in the middle. Oct 06, 2019 the mafra national palace has become home to one of the worlds most beautiful libraries. Whether youre searching for a good read or just want some peace and quiet, libraries offer a cozy retreat from the outside world. Two antique portuguese libraries use live bats as insect. Jan 27, 2016 library of the mafra palace, mafra, portugal. The palace has 1200 rooms and over 4,700 doors and windows. The wooden rococo bookshelves of the grand mafra palace library hold some 36,000 leatherbound volumes dating from the 14th to the 19th centuries.
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