Cortili ‘segreti’. Rappresentare gli spazi interstiziali

The Royal Building of Mafra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Portugal, encompasses the Palace, Basilica, Convent, Cerco Garden, and Hunting Park (Tapada). This study highlights the significance of intersticial spaces within this monument, which were designed to project the image of royalty both as rulers and community figures. Through detailed architectural surveys—including descriptive, analogical, and digital documentation—the research reveals similarities with contemporary European examples while addressing the multifunctional use of the site today, which includes religious, museal, representative, and military purposes. The findings underscore how digital representations and analytical descriptions can partially offset limited public access to certain areas, offering valuable insights for preservation, valorization, and public engagement with this historic site.

Gianluca Gioioso. (2025). Cortili ‘segreti’. Rappresentare gli spazi interstiziali. Èkphrasis. https://doi.org/10.3280/oa-1430-c819