Mafra is situated nearby Lisboa, in the so called "saloia" (rustic) area, which used to supply the capital with garden produce, and is specially famous for its imposing Palace-Convent, the largest edifice in Portugal, built by order of King Dom João the 5th in the 18th century.
The Mafra Reserve which adjoins the Convent, acquired by King Dom João the 4th in the mid-18th century to enhance the value of the set of buildings, was used as a game reserve, and is now open to the public, where one can observe several species, such as wolfs and foxes.
Mafra is located close to several beaches, and has good road access and infrastructures that have been developed in the past years, and is nowadays place of election of many people to live in.
