Trip to Sintra
Sintra is known for its many 19th-century Romantic
architectural monuments. Although
its heritage in buildings and nature is the most visible face of the historic
individuality of Sintra, a whole literary heritage has made the area a
legendary reference in Portuguese culture.
You can
spend a whole day visiting and discovering different castles, cathedrals and
streets.
The Quinta da Regaleira is one of the most surprising of all Sintra’s
monuments. Located on the outskirts of the town, it was built 1904 e 1910, in
the last days of the Portuguese monarchy.
This romantic property formerly belonging to the Viscondessa da Regaleira, was
acquired and enlarged by António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro (1848-1920) as his
favourite country estate. His vast fortune earned him the nickname of Monteiro
dos Milhões, (Moneybags Monteiro). He commissioned this unique project of house
and landscape from the Italian set-designer and architect Luigi Manini
(1848-1936) whose genius, along with the mastery of sculptors, stonemasons,
craftsmen who had formerly Palace Hotel do Buçaco, created this magical place.
Initiation
Well at Quinta da Regaleira. The well is divided in nine platforms
reminiscent of the Divine Comedy by Dante and the nine circles of Hell, the
nine sections of Purgatory and the nine skies which constitute Paradise. At the
base of the well you will find a Rosicrucian Cross, which also happened to be
the coat of arms of Carvalho Monteiro.
You can
also enjoy walking through the nature, surrounded by history.
No comments:
Post a Comment