Manor of Quinta de Rigaleira

Once in the Portuguese city of Sintra, be sure to visit the famous manor Quinta de Rigaleira. In the nineteenth century, it belonged to the wealthy collector Antonio Carvalho Monteiro, who was also a Mason and admirer of the work of Alighieri Dante.

Antonio invited the Italian artist Luigi Manini, with whom he developed a project for the future mansion. Antonio and Luigi used Dante’s Divine Comedy as a source of inspiration, so every detail of the mansion carries a hidden meaning.

The whole estate of Kinta de Rigaleiro is surrounded by genuine mysticism. This place for centuries had a sacred significance for the brotherhood of Freemasons. For example, on the territory of the estate there is a deep well, where for three days without food and water, Freemasons were placed before initiation. If, after such a trial, a person correctly answered the necessary questions, he was accepted into the brotherhood. If not, he's banished forever.