mythical descent into a fairy tale

THE Quinta da Regaleira it is a dream come true and constitutes one of the most surprising monuments in the Serra de Sintra. It was built between 1904 and 1910, in the last period of the monarchy, conceived by António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro and designed by the architect and scenographer Luigi Manini.

The founder was the owner of a prodigious fortune, which earned him the nickname of Monteiro dos Milhões and owner of a scientific spirit, of high general culture and rare sensitivity.

Only a curious and philanthropic mind like that could be able to give life to a scenario that seems to be taken from our imagination, something that we are only used to seeing in children’s stories.

Everything has been thought out in detail and everything comes together perfectly, creating an intoxicating sensuality and romanticism that makes you fall in love at every moment. From the type of architecture, to the art found in the palace, to the charming gardens, not forgetting the chapel: the different buildings at Quinta da Regaleira coexist peacefully and were scenically designed to simulate an Eden in modern times, framed in the neo-Manueline and Renaissance styles. .

In this sense, visiting Quinta da Regaleira, in sintrais to enter an imaginary universe, but so real that you won’t want to leave.

Acquired in March 1997 by the Municipality of Sintra, the Quinta is currently the headquarters of the CulturSintra Foundation, where a vast program of conservation and heritage recovery and tourist and cultural activities takes place.

Quinta da Regaleira: a magical world

You can opt for the free visit and follow the map given to you, in order to discover the farm quietly at your own pace or choose a guided tour.

Regardless of that, you will surely be surprised by every nook and cranny, where there is mandatory stopping points. We are talking, for example, of the Palace, made up of several rooms, which can be visited. Among them, the hunting room, the renaissance room, the smoking room, the kings’ room and the music room are of surprising beauty.

Also noteworthy is the Capela da Santíssima Trindade, which leads down to the crypt and leads to the gardens, after a spiral staircase.

The Palace is thus surrounded by lush vegetation, revealing a succession of places full of magic and mystery. There are references to historical and mythological moments and figures, such as Olympus, Virgílio, Dante, Camões and even the Templar mission of the Order of Christ.

The fantastic Initiatory Well

The Poço Initiatico is, without a doubt, one of the most mysterious and fascinating spaces in Quinta da Regaleira, and its name is believed to derive from the fact that it was used in initiation rituals into Freemasonry. It is an underground gallery, with a spiral staircase, supported by carved columns.

The nine landings of the staircase are separated by flights of 15 steps each, invoking references to Dante and his Divine Comedy, suggesting that they may represent the nine circles of Hell, Paradise or Purgatory.

At the bottom of the well is inlaid, in marble, a compass rose on a Templar cross, in every way similar to that of the Rosicrucian Order. It should be noted that it is in Dante’s Divine Comedy that this order is exposed for the first time…

The Initiatic Well of Quinta da Regaleira is connected by several tunnels and galleries to other points of the property, such as the Entrance of the Guardiães, the Lago da Cascata or the Imperfect Well. An absolutely not to be missed visit.

a lot to walk

As we have already told you, in addition to the Palace, you can visit several points, namely, Casa da Renascença, Patamar dos Deuses, Chapel, Greenhouse, Labyrinth Cave, Lake, Loggla, Casa dos Ibis, Cave de Leda, Torre da Regaleira, Fonte da Abundancia , Oficina das Artes, Ziggurat, Lago da Cascata, Patamar do Ténis, Gruta do Oriente, Aquarium, Portal dos Guardiães, Poço Imperfeito, Poço Initiatico and Gruta da Virgen.

To be able to enjoy this tour betterso wear comfortable clothing and shoes, not forgetting a sweater because the Sintra mountain range is known for being a colder place.

Naturally you will want to take some pictures, and you can do so with some limitations. Inside the palace, flash photos are not allowed and, in addition, filming, tripod use or drones are not allowed.

It is not allowed to smoke, or be accompanied by animals and even baby carriages may be prevented from circulating within some of the spaces of Quinta da Regaleira.

As for food and drinks, they are also prohibited, except in the cafeteria available for this purpose.

Services available at Quinta da Regaleira

Quinta da Regaleira has a guide service, a cafeteria/restaurant with a pleasant terrace and a shop. Thus, projects are currently being developed for a documentation center and a library, as well as for pedagogical workshops in the areas of environmental and cultural education.

Likewise, Quinta da Regaleira has several spaces outside and inside the Palace that can be made available for holding meetings and other events of a socio-cultural nature.

Tickets for Quinta da Regaleira

Quinta da Regaleira closes 1 hour after last entry. In turn, the Palace, the Chapel and any exhibition spaces close 30 minutes before the garden. Ticket prices are:

• Children up to 5 years old and seniors over 80 years old: free admission
• From 6 to 17 years old and from 65 to 79 years old: 5 euros
• General ticket: 10 euros