Quinta da Regaleira: Mythical descent into a fairy tale
With a romantic spirit and idyllic atmosphere, Quinta da Regaleira is located in the heart of the Historic Center of Sintra. A magical and mystical space.
Quinta da Regaleira is a dream come true and is one of the most surprising monuments in the Serra de Sintra. It was built between 1904 and 1910, in the last period of the monarchy, conceived by António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro and designed by the architect and set designer Luigi Manini.
The founder was the owner of a prodigious fortune, which earned him the nickname of Monteiro dos Milhões and owner of a scientific spirit, of high general culture and rare sensitivity. Only a curious and philanthropic mind like that could be able to bring to life a scenario that seems more removed from our imagination, something that we are only used to seeing in children’s tales.
Everything has been thought out in detail and everything is perfectly combined, creating an intoxicating sensuality and romanticism that fall in love at every moment. From the type of architecture, to the art found in the palace, to the charming gardens, not to mention the chapel: the different buildings of Quinta da Regaleira coexist peacefully and were scenically designed to simulate an Eden in modern times, framed in the neo-Manueline and Renaissance styles.
In this sense, visiting Quinta da Regaleira, in Sintra, is entering an imaginary universe, but so real that you won’t want to leave.
Acquired in March 1997 by the Municipality of Sintra, the Quinta is currently the head office of the CulturSintra Foundation, and there is a vast program of conservation and heritage recovery and tourist and cultural activities.
A Magic World
You can opt for the free tour and follow the map given to you, in order to discover the farm at your own pace or choose a guided tour.
Regardless of that, you will surely be surprised by every nook and cranny, where there are mandatory stopping points. We speak, for example, of the Palace, consisting of several rooms, which can be visited. Among them, the hunting room, the renaissance room, the smoking room, the kings room and the music room are of surprising beauty.
Also noteworthy is the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, which allows you to descend to the crypt and leads to the gardens, after a spiral staircase.
The Palace is thus surrounded by lush vegetation, revealing a succession of places full of magic and mystery. There you can see references to historical and mythological moments and figures, such as Olympus, Virgílio, Dante, Camões and even the Templar mission of the Order of Christ.
