Grab some fresh air! Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra

Quinta da Regaleira is located around a 5 minute walk from the centre of Sintra, Portugal. Quinta da Regaleira is a luxurious park being very picturesque, consisting of a palace and chapel that feature lakes, grottoes, wells, fountains and a boundless amount of other beautiful constructions!

The palace is also known as "The Palace of Monteiro the Millionaire", from the nickname of its best known former owner, António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro.

As you step inside what seems like a fairytale Sintra’s Quinta da Regaleira, the magnificent initiation well honours Portugal’s distinctive history and its connection to the Knights Templar. 

The Knights Templar, a Catholic military order making history over 700 years ago where it is believed for the Knights initiation involved a daring climb of the towering well, descending nine flights of stairs relating to the number nine which represents the 9 founders of the Templar order. This initiation was also done whilst blindfolded and holding a sword close to their heart.

After climbing down the well, a walk into the pitch black labyrinth where they would try to discover their way towards the light at the end.

If they made it to this point, finally a walk across the stones over the water to the set foot on the chapel, where they would then finally be welcomed to the brotherhood!