About half an hour from Lisbon, hidden behind a historic 21-kilometer wall, lies a forest that was once a royal hunting ground. The Tapada Nacional de Mafra is a natural sanctuary spanning more than 800 hectares, located in the municipality of Mafra, and is part of the site designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A forest commissioned by a king
The origins of the Tapada are linked to the construction of the Mafra Palace-Convent. Construction of the monument began in 1717, and a few decades later, this forested area was created adjacent to it. It was designed both to ensure the palace’s self-sufficiency and to serve as a hunting ground for the royal family. The decree authorizing the purchase of the land was signed by King João V on July 18, 1744.
Over the following centuries, several monarchs left their mark on the area: King José I and Queen Mariana Victória hunted there regularly. King João VI made the Tapada one of his favorite places during his regency, and King Carlos I, a passionate painter, ordered the reconstruction in 1893 of what is now known as the “King Carlos I Hunting Lodge” in the Celebredo area, today the most prestigious part of the Tapada. With the establishment of the Republic in 1910, the property ceased to be the private domain of the royal family and was nationalized.
A 21-km wall and 300-year-old trees
The Tapada is entirely enclosed by a historic wall stretching 21 kilometers, which isolates this veritable green mantle from the outside world. Among its flora, three specimens classified as Trees of Public Interest stand out: a horse chestnut tree, a 120-year-old olaia tree, and a 300-year-old cork oak. The area is also dominated by stone pines, maritime pines, and various varieties of oak and cork oak trees.
Fallow deer and red deer roaming freely
The wildlife is one of the main attractions of the visit. Among the mammals, visitors can spot fallow deer, red deer, wild boars, badgers, and foxes living freely within the walled perimeter. In the air, birds of prey such as the Bonelli’s eagle, the eagle owl, the goshawk, and the short-toed eagle stand out; along the streams, salamanders, frogs, tortoises, and various species of snakes live.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019
On July 7, 2019, the Royal Complex of Mafra—which includes the Palace, the Basilica, the Convent, the Cerco Garden, and the Tapada itself—was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, formally recognizing the historical and environmental value of the entire complex.
How to visit
Hours on weekdays: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Hours on weekends and holidays: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: available online, starting at €5
Useful Information
Location: Portão do Codeçal, 2640-602 Mafra
Distance from Lisbon: about a 30-minute drive
Sometimes, finding the latest news from Lisboa Secreta online is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Not anymore! Bookmark us asa Favorite Source.