On September 5, 2019, five bells were removed from the bell towers of the National Palace of Mafra. These were liturgical bells that presented cracks due to welding problems, requiring specialized intervention for repair.
The bells were then sent to the Netherlands, where they would undergo repair work. This trip abroad was due to the need to resort to specialized technicians to address the structural problems identified in the bells.
The removal operation was part of the rehabilitation works of Mafra's carillons, a broader project for the conservation and restoration of the sonic heritage of the National Palace. The National Palace of Mafra, classified as a National Monument, houses one of the largest and most important carillon ensembles in Europe.
