Why did a millionaire Mason turn a farm into a palace, and what came of it

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Once in Portugal, a millionaire Mason bought a piece of land that changed many owners. He planned to build a castle there, but discovered many underground passages and grottoes that kept their secrets. Much in the dungeons of Quinta da Regaleira was created by the mystic master, but something really appeared in time immemorial. Today wells, labyrinths and mysterious symbols of the "Masonic farm" Quinta da Regaleira attract tourists from all over the world …

Quinta da Regaleira is located near the town of Sintra in Portugal. The land, where the Quinta da Regaleira complex is now located, constantly passed from hand to hand. The first mention of this place is documented in 1697, when it was acquired by a certain Jose Leitu. He owned the land for eighteen years, and then, at the city auction, the site was acquired by the engineer and entrepreneur Franchisca Albert de Castres. He dreamed of locating a waterworks there, which would later provide water to the city's fountains of Sintra. But his plans were not destined to come true.

In 1840 the estate acquired its present name. At that time, the owner of the land was the Baroness da Regaleira, the daughter of a merchant from Porto. She started building a farm here - quinta, which means farm. However, there is another point of view - the place is not named after a person, but Madame da Regaleira received the title by the name of her property. And Quinta da Regaleira actually means "regal farm". In those years, the main buildings had not yet been erected, and there was a small monastery on the mountain, but the beauty of nature fascinated everyone who came here - a truly "regal appearance". Be that as it may, the farm of Baroness Reagalier quietly existed for another half a century, and there were no secrets or mysteries behind it (behind the farm; however, behind the baroness herself). Only the fact that Quinta da Regaleira changed owners too often seemed a little suspicious …

Finally, at the end of the 19th century, the farm was bought by Antonio Monteiro - a remarkable person in every respect. He was a descendant of an ancient family, firmly associated with the Knights Templar, was a member of the Masonic lodge, received an excellent education and amassed a fabulous fortune. Monteiro loved old and strange things - especially expensive ones. He collected rare books, fancy watches, sculptures … Despite Monteiro's occult preferences, he was very fond of the local church parish, because he donated a lot of money to him. It was Monteiro who turned the inconspicuous farm into a majestic castle full of secrets, surrounded by a stunning park. The main work was carried out under the supervision of the architect Luigi Manini.

The Regaleira Palace was built in the then fashionable eclectic style. In its exterior you can find Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance motifs, references to the historical architecture of Portugal. There are baroque rhythms, and gloomy gargoyles, and the medieval rhythm of turrets, and antique capitals … The palace is built of snow-white stone - now, darkened by time, it makes a mystical impression. Playing with the images of the past, the architect did not forget about technical innovations - for example, the castle has an elevator for delivering food from the kitchen to the dining room (which is also the hunting room). The interiors of the palace are as luxurious as their appearance. In 1910, the monarchy in Portugal was abolished, but Monteiro kept the magnificently decorated throne for many years, as if waiting for the legitimate ruler of these lands to visit. On the third floor of the palace, next to the library, there was an alchemical laboratory. Wasn't that the reason for Monsieur Monteiro's wealth - maybe he was able to find the Philosopher's Stone?

But the main treasure of Quinta da Regaleira is not a fairytale castle, but an elaborately designed multi-tiered park. It is all filled with symbols of world religions, myths, alchemy and Freemasonry. His heart is the well of Initiation, a spiral gallery that goes deep into the earth. The entrance to the well of initiation is preceded by the Guardian portal dedicated to newts - the mythological inhabitants of the local coast. The descent into the well consists of nine spans - nine circles of Dante's Hell.

The coat of arms of the Monteiro family - an eight-pointed star and a Templar cross - awaits those who have descended into hell at the very bottom, and a Masonic triangle shines on the wall. This well, presumably, served for the initiation ceremony for members of the brotherhood, who had to go through trials in order to be cleansed from sins and learn the truth. You can get out from the bottom of the well in several ways - but you can also disappear into the underground labyrinths. The system of secret passages, grottoes, dungeons existed here long before the construction of the palace, Monteiro and Manini only improved it. And the well of Initiation, they say, was built on the site of an ancient "inverted tower", the purpose of which is unknown …

Today, the "wrong" exits from the bottom of the Dedication well are highlighted and decorated for the convenience of tourists. They lead to artificial reservoirs and bridges, where you can relax and take pictures. Having wandered through the winding tunnels, you can get out to the chapel, grottoes and other attractions of the park. The journey into the dungeon symbolizes the path from darkness to light, from death to resurrection.

There, on the surface, among pavilions, arches and sculptures, a ziggurat tower rises, fountains sparkle in the sun, green spaces and flower beds seem a little deserted, run wild … The Catholic chapel is filled with mysticism no less than the park itself. The frescoes depict the saints of the Roman Catholic Church, on the floor of the chapel - the image of the armillary sphere, the emblem of the Order of Christ and the pentagram.

After the death of Monteiro, the estate again began to "wander" from one owner to another, and even visited the overseas office of a Japanese corporation. Each owner added something of his own to the creation of Monteiro and Manini. This continued until 1997, when Regaleira passed to the state and was immediately included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Now it has opened to tourists.