Quinta da Regaleira is one of the youngest palaces of Sintra, but also one of the most intriguing. It was built between 1904 and 1910, when António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, a wealthy collector who made his fortune in Brazil, bought the estate. Known as “Monteiro dos Milhões”, he wanted a place that reflected his passions for science, nature, and above all, mysticism.
For that, he invited the Italian architect Luigi Manini, who had worked in La Scala in Milan and designed the Buçaco Palace. Together, they created a palace and gardens full of esoteric symbols: alchemy, Freemasonry, the Knights Templar, and even Dante’s Divine Comedy.
Since 1995, the Quinta da Regaleira has been part of Sintra’s UNESCO World Heritage site.
What to See
The Initiation Well – a spiral staircase 27 meters deep, used as a symbolic journey into the underworld and rebirth.
The Palace: a mix of Gothic, Manueline and Renaissance revival styles, with towers and balconies.
The Chapel: decorated with symbols of the Templars and Freemasons.
The Gardens: tunnels, caves, fountains and hidden paths that make you feel like you’re in a fantasy novel.
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