Visit Report – the Convent of Mafra.
You may have already visited this monument located in the town of Mafra, just about 20 miles northwest of Lisbon. Whether or not you have, be sure it’s worth going once more, because there is always something new to discover.
Not only it is completely free, but also an opportunity to learn more about the Portuguese historic background. People from all over the country (and abroad) visit this national landmark for different reasons. You may be a university Architecture student; you may be an enthusiast of Renaissance Art; or you could just be the average tourist. All of these are more than enough reasons to spend an afternoon here.
The convent has been restored recently, with new exhibits available (such as the army showcase). Be prepared to walk – a lot. We’re talking about one of the largest buildings in Portugal. The house of the Royal Family up until three centuries ago, it is a fine example of how the Kings and Queens used to live. Evidently, many of its “furniture”, such as paintings, is now gone (either to Brazil or other museums across the country or the globe). But the history you learn definitely makes up for the lack of some items.
As one enters a guided tour through the convent, the guide shows the church, one fine example of architecture, and, one could argue, waste of money, given the fact that the King spent a scandalous amount of resources in a moment when the country was struggling. But let’s move on. The guide takes us to the King’s bedroom, as well as the Queen’s (both are located in the opposite ends of the convent). We also get to take a look at the glorious library, with over 40 000 books – a key archive site, famous across the European elites of the 18th century. Other areas include the dining room and the prison cells.
Be sure there is more to the convent than meets the eye: after your tour, you can also visit the army complex and take a relaxing walk in “Jardim do Cerco”.
Do we give the proper value?
Aren’t we forgetting the real value of what surrounds us? Do we look at things with objectivity? Can we remember that we are just lucky to be born here, in this side of the planet? Do we hardly leave our stressed lives and our small world to think about injustice, war, hunger, that millions of human beings are suffering? If so, it is time to stop that tendency and save what should be better in each of us, in all human kind, that is, feelings of compassion, solidarity, capacity of feeling.
And why does it happen? Is it frightening to go on to the other side? I think that it is more comfortable for us, to treat those problems as a hermetical environment, a place where we don’t want to go often. But I’m sure that, even if we are blind, one day it will overlap on us.
We treat our lives as microcosms of the world, we want it to be perfect, and we work for it. However, in order to be really happy, we must use our skills, use our intelligence, our heart, basically we are not outsiders of the humanity and its problems, but instead we have to assume our responsibilities and start working for a better world, to leave a legacy to the future.
After we realise what the object is, we can start thinking in all those protagonists of an unfair world. And then, we will remember when we take a simple glass of water, that millions have no drinking water at all and must walk several miles to obtain only a few litters and most of them are vulnerable children. We must imperatively appreciate the small things near us. Absolutely never forget to appreciate life, family, music, silence, peace, beauty, nature, children, company, laughs, friendship, books…(and so on).
Basically, I wrote about this theme because of the book I just finished reading, called “The Book Thief”, from Marcus Zusak, an Australian writer. This book tells us about a little girl living through the World War II. One passage from the book describes us how important small things are. Liesel receives from a neighbour the ration portion of coffee, a true treasure in those days, in exchange for reading a book, sometimes in Frau Holtzapfel`s house and other times inside the anti-bomb shelter.
Somehow we will manage to be complete human beings, despite this modern life which is fragmented by technologies and stress, and I’m sure, we will finally be able to continuously communicate and share our feelings.
Paula
18/o1/2009
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A new experience
Hello!I´m Paula , I´m 42 years-old and I´m living in Lisbon but I spend my weekends in a country house!
I feel passion for my daughter and my family.
During the year, I use to go several times to Prague ,in order to visit my child that´s currently studying Medicine there. I just love that city, we can go everyday to concerts or ballet cheaper than the cinema. My hobbies are books, books, books, music , music , music ( classical/opera). My favourite performer was, is Maria Callas.
I also spend my free time, taking care of my garden and cooking, when possible I attend to some workshops to learn more about foreign cuisines and painting.
I´m always dreaming about the next travel!
At this point of my life I´m completely focused in my studies, I´m loving this new experience.
Best Wishes!
Prague
Merry Christmas
When snow is shaken
From the balsam trees
And they're cut down
And brought into our houses
When clustered sparks
Of many-colored fire
Appear at night
In ordinary windows
We hear and sing
The customary carols
They bring us ragged miracles
And hay and candles
And flowering weeds of poetry
That are loved all the more
Because they are so common
But there are carols
That carry phrases
Of the haunting music
Of the other world
A music wild and dangerous
As a prophet's message
Or the fresh truth of children
Who though they come to us
From our own bodies
Are altogether new
With their small limbs
And birdlike voices
They look at us
With their clear eyes
And ask the piercing questions
God alone can answer.
Anne Porter
Merry Christmas ,
Paula
5 comments:
I will most definitly go. From your report it seems great. And, besides, if it's free I'll go praticaly anywhere!
I was already in mafra, the city and the convent in particular are amazing. Just the people that died by build it and the whole history is fabulous.
Hi...
I didn`t know that existed a place like that in Mafra. So, I`m surprised. Very good description . I would know how can I go there and how much is the ticket?...
From what you write it sounds good, I would be curious to go there!
The convent of mafra is a beautiful place to go and get to know a little bit more about the history of Portugal.
really nice.
Lays Fernandes
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