Quinta da Regaleira is a very special place. Built at the turn of the 20th century in Sintra, about half an hour from Lisbon, this fascinating ensemble of constructions have been built in the middle of the dense forest. It is the result of mythical magical dreams of its owner, Antonio Augusto Carvalho Monteiro (1848-1920) in conjunction with the talent of the architect Luigi Manini. The architecture of the estate evokes Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Manueline architectural styles. The 4-hectare estate has a palace, luxurious gardens, lakes, grottoes and enigmatic buildings, believed to hide symbols related to alchemy, fairytales, mythology and astrology.

MAIN WALKWAY TO REACH THE PALACE

MAIN ELEVATION AND ENTRANCE

THE STONE WORK FOR ALL THE BUILDINGS IS REALLY IMPRESSIVE

THE PALACE HAS ROOF TERRACES

IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU COULD SMELL THE FLOWERS!

ONE OF THE MAIN ENTRIES TO THE BUILDING

BIRDS OF STONE

BALCONY WITH STONE RAILING

ARE THE ROPES MADE FROM FIBER OR FROM STONE?

BEAUTIFUL AND VERY ORNATE ENTRY

THE HUNTING ROOM WITH ANIMAL MOSAIC FLOORS

GREAT WOODWORK

MANY WALLS ARE ADORNED WITH

EXQUISITE PAINTINGS

DIFFERENT ORNAMENTAL TOWERS EMBELLISH THE GARDENS

…AND ALSO A LOT OF SCULPTURES

OOPS!

AN ORNAMENTAL CUPOLA

The mysterious Initiation Well. You can walk down a moss-covered spiral stairway to its bottom where you can see a light pointed star.

A BENCH IN THE GARDEN IS GUARDED BY LIONS

…AND ANOTHER ONE GUARDED BY DOGS

ON THE "BIRD" BENCH MY WIFE AND MY SISTER DECIDED TO TAKE

A REST

GUARDIAN ENTRANCE

UPPER GUARDIANS ENTRANCE

IT IS TIME TO GO HOME

PRESENTATION AND PICTURES (SOME FROM INTERNET) BY DAN CALISTRAT dcalistrat@aol.com