Tapada Nacional de Mafra

Tapada Nacional de Mafra - 2640 Mafra
Téléphone: (+351) 261.817.050

URL: Tapada Nacional de Mafra

Tapada Nacional de Mafra
The Royal Hunting Reserve of Mafra was created by king João V as a leisure park for the royal family, between 1744 and 1748.

It was the ideal space for the Court to hunt, with woods occupying almost all the area.

With an extension of more than 1600 acres, it is encircled by a long wall 21 kilometres long.

Between 1840 and 1859, King Fernando installed in the same grounds the Mafra Horse Breeding Farm, where the royal horses were bred.

At the time of King Luís and King Carlos, the estate lived its golden period as a hunting reserve.

With the instauration of the Republic, its name was changed to National Hunting Park.

It was open to the public in 1975, and has passed through some hard times, namely with the great fire of 1981.

It reopened with its actual conditions in 1989.

The park displays a rich flora, with pines, oaks, planetrees and willows among many others, and fauna: deer, wild boars, foxes, wolves, eagles, owls, etc.

The park now lodges the Hunting Museum, with embalmed animals and old weapons, and the Animal Traction Museum, dating from the 19th century.

The visitor can choose between several activities, from a simple stroll to a trip in the articulated train with a guide, including visits to the two museums and the observation of wild animals.

Useful information

Guided visits in the train: weekends and national holidays, at 10.45 am and 3 pm, except in December and January; booking needed at least three days before.Unguided visits: walking trips, BTT and photo-orientation every day without need to book.