Visitors to Lisbon often take advantage of their stay to go sightseeing in Sintra. This town is known for its villas and palaces, such as the Sintra National Palace and the Pena National Palace. One of the most striking buildings is the Quinta da Regaleira, which is described below.
Interesting facts about Quinta da Regaleira
Quinta da Regaleira is a striking building in terms of its architecture, but even more striking are the symbols and sculptures that dot the surroundings. It is not clear when work began, but it is known that it was completed in 1910. At that time it was owned by Dr. António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro.
In 1942 it passed into new hands. It is sold to Waldemar Jara d’Orey, who will carry out some renovation work. In 1987 it was bought by a Japanese company as an investment, without any modifications being made. In 1997 it became the property of the City Council, which will be responsible for restoring it to its former glory..
The mystical atmosphere on the property is due to the alternative religious ideas of the aforementioned Dr. António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, known in Sintra as the “Montero of the millions”.. Architect Luigi Manini and other professionals and artists managed to capture the thoughts of the property’s mourning, creating a mysterious and unsettling atmosphere.
The decorations, the sculptures, the symbols and everything that can be seen there, is related to cosmology, spirituality, the Templars, the Freemasons or the Portuguese Order of Christ, among others. From all this derives the peculiarity of the fifth.
The garden also has a striking and representative design, neat and tidy in the lower part, and wild in the higher parts. Once again, Carvalho Monteiro’s ideas are embodied in this space that which seeks to express his belief in primitivism..
El pozo iniciático is perhaps the best known of the fifth. The photograph of this moat, formed by a spiral staircase with arched openings, has crossed borders and has become an image seen all over the world. It is so called because it is one of the places used by Freemasons for their initiation rites.
Sintra Tour with Blue Emotion Tours
If you want to see the most emblematic places in Sintra, book the Blue Emotion excursion to Sintra. In this 6 hour tour we will show you the Pena Palace and the Quinta da Regaleira. A guide will explain, in your own language, the legends and mysteries hidden in these emblematic buildings. Book your tour with us and make the most of your holiday.
