Stacy M.
Yelp
"Do you have $3.47? I left my purse in the Underworld." (Elizabeth Hurley, Bedazzled)
As Dante would say, abandon all hope, ye who enter here......but do bring with a pair of grippy shoes and your sense of adventure!
Quinta da Regaleira is a ten-acre park built by the eccentric Carvalho Monteiro, a wealthy Brazilian mining owner and possible initiate of the Knight's Templar. The grounds include a palace, beautiful gardens, lakes, and the famous Initiation Well, built to represent the nine circles of Dante's Inferno. The well was linked to the Knight's Templar initiation rituals, and there are many other symbols related to Freemasonry, astrology, alchemy, and such scattered throughout the park.
The main footpath winds uphill towards the entrance of the Initiation Well, but there are many trails that meander off along the way. There will likely be an intimidatingly long queue for the well no matter what time you arrive, but it moves quickly.
As we passed through the well's entrance, we saw no flames and heard no anguished screams...only the deafening silence of those concentrating on their balance down the dark, wet, spooky spiral into the abyss. There are no handrails inside the well, but you can at least grab on to pillars for extra security. Take note that about halfway down, water will start dripping onto you and will puddle up on the steps. At the bottom of the well you will exit through tunnels back out to the park.
As for the park's cafe, I would avoid it altogether. Once seated we found ourselves cursed to be completely surrounded by smokers. To make matters worse, our fish entrées looked inedible. We didn't send them back, but re-ordered a Nutella Crepe to split instead. It was a miserable experience. Pack snacks instead.
This attraction is a must if you are visiting Sintra, unless you have mobility issues. I would allot 2-3 hours to explore the grounds, including your virtual descent into Hades. I give it 5 beasts of the nether world...but in a good way.
*This review is endorsed by George Burns, Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson, Nicholas Cage, and Viggo Mortenson.