Royal Building of Mafra – Palace, Basilica, Convent, Cerco Garden and Hunting Park (Tapada)

• Management and institutional factors (need to strengthen the research activities, management activities, the management system/management plan)

On 31 January 2020, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, which is available at http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1573/documents/ and addresses recommendations made at the time of the inscription of the property in 2019, as follows:

• A preliminary landscape and historic study on the Tapada has been elaborated, supported by maps; inventories of arboreal species, the hydraulic system and the fortresses; and chronological tables. The study concludes that further research and a Management Plan with phased interventions are urgently necessary for the Tapada and its historic-cultural features;
• A Strategic Plan and a Management Plan for the Tapada are intended to be developed expeditiously, along with a Promotion Plan and a Strategic Tourism Plan, on the basis of a geo-referenced database. The development of an integrated Management Plan for the property is also envisaged;
• A Cooperation Protocol between the Municipality of Mafra, the School of Arms, the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, the National Tapada of Mafra and the Parish of Mafra was signed on 15 February 2019, establishing a Cooperation Unit responsible for monitoring, conservation, research, education and promotion, and coordination of security plans and actions. Proposed rules of procedures for the Cooperation Unit are planned to be approved in early 2020. An Advisory Unit of several institutions will support the Cooperation Unit;
• A consolidated table of 82 interventions to take place in 2019-2034 is presented, indicating responsible actors for each action as well as the sources of funding, foreseen budgets, and the timeframe. Four interventions have been completed and two are currently under development while 24 are considered priority interventions. Timeframes and necessary budgets for some interventions are not yet verified;
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Portuguese Army, the Municipality of Mafra and the Portuguese Equestrian Federation to develop a project to enhance Portuguese equestrian tradition to be implemented between 2020 and 2023, including the requalification and rehabilitation of the Military Parade Square and restoration of several buildings adjacent to the Palace;
• A Management Conservation Plan is envisaged for Cerco Garden. The State Party’s report outlines the objectives and the action plan, with 31 actions articulated over two timespans (2019–2024 and 2025–2027);
• An integrated visitor programme and the creation of a unique logo are under consideration as first steps for the interpretation and management of the property;
• The University of Lisbon has prepared a document on the scope of the archaeological survey for the whole of the property, including objectives, methodology and operationalisation in the short and medium term. Initial planned actions include the preparation of a preliminary report and the creation of a cooperation protocol between the Archaeological Centre of the University of Lisbon and the various property management bodies.

The State Party has addressed satisfactorily the recommendations of the World Heritage Committee, producing a detailed report backed up by 28 maps and numerous annexes.

The activity of the State Party since the property was inscribed on the World Heritage List has focused on systematizing and expanding knowledge and the documentation of the Tapada and its heritage features, including gardens, hydraulic systems, fortresses, the vegetation and its evolution. It is evident that the size of the property, and particularly of the Tapada, requires a strategy for documentation and further research developed in the long–term. The results achieved so far represent a robust base for continuing the research on the landscape attributes and historic development of the Tapada and of the hydraulic system, and for developing the Strategic and Management Plans envisaged by the State Party. It would be useful for the programmatic intentions of the State Party to be detailed in a road-map with a timeframe so that the above-mentioned plans can be developed rapidly. It would be equally useful to elaborate an integrated management strategy for the whole property on the basis of the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) to ensure a common vision and coordinated action.

The Cooperation Protocol established between all key management bodies represents a major step towards a reinforced management system; the approval of the Rules of Procedure is thus urgent to ensure its implementation. To ensure that the Advisory Unit can be independent of the Cooperation Unit, it is suggested to appoint a different chairperson for each unit.

The consolidated table of planned interventions reflects the specific programmes in place at the time of inscription but, under the umbrella of the collaboration protocol, more robust and coordinated action can be expected as well as an overview for the financial needs of all planned projects with eventual contributors. Additionally, the MoU between the Portuguese Army, the Municipality of Mafra and the Portuguese Equestrian Federation, and the inclusion of activities aimed towards the rehabilitation of the Military Parade, represents an important step forward. However, the timeframe of the MoU is three years, whilst the activities for enhancing the Military Parade extend to 2029 as per the above-mentioned consolidated table: an assessment of financial needs should be prepared and funds secured in order to guarantee the rapid implementation of this measure.

Preliminary elements for a conservation management plan of the Cerco Garden have been presented; however, these need to be further detailed and turned into a formal and implementable plan, with phased actions.

It is noted that timid progress has been made in the development of a unified strategy for the promotion and interpretation of the property. The establishment and functioning of the Cooperation Unit should facilitate the process.

With regard to the archaeological research programme, the preliminary steps outlined by the Archaeological Survey Protocol developed by the University of Lisbon appear reasonable and it is recommended that the Committee encourage the State Party to further develop the document into a strategy with an action plan indicating human and financial resources, priorities and timeframes.