Who owns Quinta da Regaleira?
António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro
Quinta da Regaleira has had many owners over the decades, but it was António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, one of the wealthiest men in Portugal at the turn of the 20th Century, who made the estate what it is today.
How long to visit Quinta da Regaleira?
1.5-2hours
A typical visit to the Quinta da Regaleira lasts 1.5-2hours, and the majority of the time will be spent in the gardens. We strongly advise visiting as early in the day as possible, when the site is at its quietest. The peak hours are 11am to 3pm, and there can be long queues going up and down the Poço Iniciático.
What was the initiation well used for?
The Initiation Wells (also called initiatic wells or inverted towers) are two wells on the property that better resemble underground towers lined with stairs. These wells never served as water sources. Instead, they were used for ceremonial purposes that included Tarot initiation rites.
When was Quinta da Regaleira built?
1900
Quinta da Regaleira/Construction started
What kind of palace is Palacio da Regaleira?
Surrounded by lush green vegetation, the Palácio da Regaleira is a fascinating discovery. The palace was built in a Romantic revivalist style, in an imitation of Gothic, Manueline and Renaissance architectural and decorative forms, mixed with a mythical and esoteric symbolism.
Where is the Quinta da Regaleira in Portugal?
Quinta da Regaleira is a quinta located near the historic centre of Sintra, Portugal. It is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO within the “Cultural Landscape of Sintra”.
Is there a chapel in the Regaleira Villa?
The Regaleira Chapel, also built in the Neo-Manueline style, stands in front of the main villa and is extravagantly decorated with scenes from the life of Jesus, Saint Anthony and Saint Theresa of Avila. There are also plenty of Templar and esoteric symbols on display here as well as a richly decorated floor.
Why are there spiral staircases at Quinta da Regaleira?
A Masonic Initiation Well at Quinta da Regaleira. Such wells, lined with a spiral staircase, are a popular architectural feature in hermetic traditions and are meant to symbolize the death and rebirth of the initiate. Stijndon/Wikimedia Commons