NATIONAL PALACE OF MAFRA AND ITS GUARDS
This publication is much more than about the superb Library of the National Palace of Mafra.
We may not love it. Finding ugly and a series of other less friendly adjectives. In addition to Batman, around here, we love bats. They are simply fantastic. But let's start, like everything else, at the beginning.
This baroque architectural complex was started in 1717 and the basilica was consecrated in 1730. The complex has important collections of Italian sculpture and
painting, two carillons, six historic organs and its imposing library!
Ordered to be built by King D. João V to fulfill his vow for the birth of his firstborn. It is one of the largest palaces in Europe with 38,000 m2. Two carillons with 92 bells from Flanders and at the time the largest in the world.
Its library has around 30 thousand volumes and the Royal Reading Office of Rio de Janeiro has more volumes that were part of this collection.
It was a state residence during the regency of Prince D. João VI and has received quarters since the Napoleonic Invasions. D. Manuel II went into exile from here on
October 5, 1910.
Rumor has it that the rest of the crown's fortune was spent here, on building the palace and purchasing works of art and establishing the library.
The most fearful believe that there are rats of Homeric size in their catacombs!
Beliefs, fears and other considerations aside, this palace and its entire architectural complex are of enormous beauty and carry the weight of this style due to their scale.
It stands out on the horizon from kilometers away and nowadays they suffer from the large blades of the wind turbines that serve as a backdrop!
Let's go back to what brought us here today. The winged guardians of the Mafra National Palace library.
Keep thousands of books safe from damp, mold and animal bites. The architects designed 1.80m walls to protect from the outside weather. And every day the dust is cleaned and removed. And then... then there are the bats.
For centuries, small colonies of bats have lent their knowledge to control pests. During the day, they perch and go unnoticed on the high shelves, while experts consult works and tourists admire the architecture. But at night the scene changes and in the darkness it flies guided by its sonar, feeding on moths and beetles that would otherwise damage the works on display.
The arrival of bats dates back to the 18th century when there is a record of the purchase of large leather screens from Russia to protect books from guano (bat feces). The system is still used today.
Although visitors ask about the bats, the library employees leave them alone. Despite being in a place of knowledge, little is known about bats. It is known that there are two species - the European free-tail and the soprano pipistrelles (bat in Italian), both small and super-agile.
When the library doors were changed in 2015, the openings that bats use to exit and drink water from the river were maintained. These openings are speculated to have been introduced by former library employees. Anyway... these small flying mammals are part of the life of this human monument.