The mysterious inverted tower steeped in Templar myth

The mysterious inverted tower steeped in Templar myth

Near the manicured gardens and hilltop villas of Sintra, Portugal, lies the fairytale estate of Quinta da Regaleira. Protected within a Unesco World Heritage landscape, Quinta da Regaleira is a postcard-perfect mix of Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance architecture.

But it’s what lies beneath the palace’s gardens that truly sets the estate’s design apart. A pair of wells, called the Initiation Wells, spiral down deep within the earth, like inverted towers. The wells were never used to collect water. Instead, they were part of a mysterious initiation ritual.

The Initiation Well at the Quinta da Regaleira was designed by Italian architect Luigi Manini under the direction of the wealthy Brazilian-Portuguese businessman, who was the owner of the Quinta da Regaleira estate at that time. It originally belonged to the Viscountess of Regaleira who sold it to Carvalho Monteiro in 1892.

A circular floor with ochre-colored tiles can be found at the bottom of the well. The Knights Templar cross appears here with a compass placed above it. This is thought to have been Carvalho Monteiro's coat of arms.

It is believed that Carvolho's Templar initiations at Quinta da Regaleira began with candidates entering one of the Initiation Wells blindfolded. Holding a sword close to their heart, they would descend nine flights of stairs – a number that represents the nine founders of the Templar order. Once reaching the bottom of the well, the candidate would walk into a dark labyrinth where they would symbolically and literally find their way up towards the light. If they were able to make it back through the well tower and into the sunlight, initiates would walk across stones in water to reach the chapel, where they would then be welcomed into the brotherhood.

While Templar initiations no longer take place at Quinta da Regaleira, visitors are welcomed trace the footsteps of candidates past, experiencing this ode to Portugal’s hidden myths and history firsthand.

 

 



 

 

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