Palácio de Mafra

The massive baroque palace and monastery, which dwarfs the small town of Mafra,
was built during the reign of Portugal's most extravagant monarch, Joâo V. It began with
a vow by the young king to build a new monastery and basilica, supposedly in return for an
heir (but more likely, to attone for his well-known sexual excesses). Work began in 1717.
No expense was spared: 52,000 men were employed, and the project housed 330 friars, a
royal palace and one of the finest libraries in Europe. Consecrated 22 October 1730.

No photographs were allowed to be taken inside, but I have here a few of the outside.