Mafra

We caught the local bus to Mafra and saw more windmills – even miniature ones embellishing gardens.

The cathedral and palace are wonderful. They were built in 1717 under orders from the king (who was celebrating the birth of an heir after 7 barren years. He had lots of money from Brazil to spend so commissioned a German to design it and imported Italian craftsmen to do it. So many came that they got it done in 16 years. This has resulted in a very coherent design and décor.

The building also housed a monastery with hundreds of monks and a huge, beautiful library. Among the thousands of books are the scores especially written for the six organs in the cathedral and for the 92 bells in the belfry. (This king wanted the biggest and best in the world.)

The rooms are spacious and full of light. For the most part the decoration is very tasteful. I suspect that not all of it is original as the royals didn’t live there very often or for very long. This sofa from the stag room is an exception to the good taste. Yes, it is a boar's head in the middle.

There were a couple of cabinets of priestly garb. Now I know how they manage to get their satin stitch so even and reproducible. They work it over paper cut outs.

And how is this for a smocked shirt! It was worn under the robe.

On the way back on the train I spotted this double crochet bag. It is made with strips of knit fabric.

And this week’s favourite thing: my Eco sneakers and the cotton socks I bought at El Cortes Ingles yesterday. The combination of blue and pink marble in the cathedral echoed the colours of the sky, sea, tiled roofs and houses out in the village.