Visit Initiation Well
Table of Contents
Sintra is an enchanting city in Portugal, filled with secrets and mysteries. It attracts tourists from around the globe with its unique atmosphere and rich cultural heritage. One of the city’s most captivating attractions is the Sintra Well, a mysterious structure designed for secret ceremonies, reflecting the rich Masonic heritage.
Tourist Information
The Initiation Well is one of the most mystical structures located on the Quinta da Regaleira site in Sintra, Portugal. The depth of this well is 88 feet, and its purpose was never to extract water. It was created specifically for secret rituals and ceremonies.
The owner of the estate, Antonio Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, was a famous Freemason. With his participation and under the guidance of the Italian architect Luigi Manini, a four-hectare site was designed and built, which today is known as the Quinta de La Regaleira. This site is striking in its scale and numerous symbols associated with Freemasonry, alchemy, Rosicrucian heritage, Hermeticism and Tarot mysticism.
The Initiation Well Portugal is one of the most amazing architectural elements in this estate complex. It looks like an inverted tower and symbolically represents a journey into the depths of Mother Earth or an ascent towards the light. This symbolism allegorically reflects the theme of death and rebirth, which is characteristic of many mystical traditions.
A spiral staircase supported by carved columns leads down to the bottom of the well through nine landings. The distance between these platforms, as well as the number of steps, is considered to be associated with the mystical principles of the Tarot and Masonic symbols. At the bottom of the well in Sintra, there is a compass above the cross of the Knights Templar, which is an indication of Carvalho Monteiro’s connection with Rosicrucianism.
The Manor Park also contains many other interesting architectural features, including grottoes, a chapel, Waterfall Lake and Leda’s Cave. The entire site, with its mysterious atmosphere and rich symbolism, attracts many tourists and researchers, although the exact purpose of many of the structures still remains a mystery, which only adds to the estate’s mystery and attractiveness.
Interesting Facts
- History of the secret rites: The Well of Initiation at Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, Portugal, is so named because of its use for Masonic initiation rites. This man-made architectural artefact has a rich cultural heritage and represents mystical traditions.
- Symbolism and architecture: The well, 30 meters deep, consisting of a spiral gallery with carved columns on nine levels of 15 steps each, symbolizes the nine circles of hell, purgatory and paradise described in Dante’s Divine Comedy. This is the place where opposites converge and knowledge of the soul occurs.
- Secret symbols: At the bottom of the Quinta da Regaleira well there is a compass over the cross of the Knights Templar and the delta luminoso sign, symbolizing Freemasonry. These symbols give the well additional mystery.
- Path of Initiation: Descending into the darkness of the well, the traveler finds himself in an area where the compass needle always points east, towards the sun and light. This symbolic journey represents a rite of passage and discovery of oneself and one’s soul.
- Security and protection: The entrance to the well and to the Sintra gardens is guarded by guards from the other world, and the opposite is the “Divine Terrace”, protected by two towers. These religious buildings resemble truncated pyramids and add an atmosphere of mystery to this place.
- Secrets and riddles: Even without knowing all the hidden meanings created by the symbols, the visitor can feel that nothing here is by chance. Whether the creator of the well was a Freemason or a member of a secret order remains a mystery. To understand all the secrets of the estate, you need to immerse yourself in history, philosophy and mythology.
Open Hours
The well in Sintra is open daily at 10:00 am. Closing times vary depending on the season, but the last entry to the well area is always at 5:30 p.m. It is recommended to arrive at the well as soon as it opens to avoid crowds of visitors, especially in the middle of the day.
Tickets
To find out all the details of the cost calculation, just log on to the official website of the estate and the dedication well.
Address
Address: Rua Barbosa Du Bocage 9, Quinta da Regaleira Sintra 2710-353.
How to Get to Initiation Well
To visit the Initiation Well Sintra, Portugal, you must first travel to the town of Sintra. Most tourists come to Sintra via Lisbon, which is just an hour away. Here are some ways to get from Lisbon to Sintra:
- Train from Lisbon to Sintra: The train runs every 30 minutes from Rossio Station in Lisbon and goes to Sintra Train Station. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes and costs €4.40 for a return journey.
- Bus from Lisbon to Sintra: There is a direct bus that leaves from Marquês de Pombal in Lisbon and arrives at Sintra Train Station. The bus runs hourly and takes approximately 27 minutes. Bus ticket prices range from €1 to €10.
- By car from Lisbon to Sintra: The journey takes about 30 minutes. Parking is limited in Sintra, but there are parking areas near the Portela de Sintra train station and below the village of Sintra.
To get from Sintra Train Station to the Well of Initiation:
- Bus: Take bus 434 to Largo Ferreira Castro station. From there the well is an 8-minute walk.
- On foot: You can walk from Sintra train station, which takes about 22 minutes, or from Sintra town, about 15 minutes.
- Taxi: You can also take a taxi, it will be faster but cost more than the bus.
