2. Quinta da Regaleira is a very special place. Built at the turn of the 20th century in Sintra, about half an hour from Lisbon, this fascinating ensemble of constructions have been built in the middle of the dense forest. It is the result of mythical magical dreams of its owner, Antonio Augusto Carvalho Monteiro (1848-1920) in conjunction with the talent of the architect Luigi Manini. The architecture of the estate evokes Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Manueline architectural styles. The 4-hectare estate has a palace, luxurious gardens, lakes, grottoes and enigmatic buildings, believed to hide symbols related to alchemy, fairytales, mythology and astrology.

3. BEAUTIFUL PALACE

4. MAIN WALKWAY TO REACH THE PALACE

7. MAIN ELEVATION AND ENTRANCE

8. THE STONE WORK FOR ALL THE BUILDINGS IS REALLY IMPRESSIVE

9. THE PALACE HAS ROOF TERRACES

11. IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU COULD SMELL THE FLOWERS!

12. ONE OF THE MAIN ENTRIES TO THE BUILDING BIRDS OF STONE

13. BALCONY WITH STONE RAILING

14. ARE THE ROPES MADE FROM FIBER OR FROM STONE?

15. BEAUTIFUL AND VERY ORNATE ENTRY

16. THE HUNTING ROOM WITH ANIMAL MOSAIC FLOORS

21. GREAT WOODWORK

25. MANY WALLS ARE ADORNED WITH EXQUISITE PAINTINGS

28. DIFFERENT ORNAMENTAL TOWERS EMBELLISH THE GARDENS

29. …AND ALSO A LOT OF SCULPTURES OOPS!

30. AN ORNAMENTAL CUPOLA

31. The mysterious Initiation Well. You can walk down a moss-covered spiral stairway to its bottom where you can see a light pointed star.

32. A BENCH IN THE GARDEN IS GUARDED BY LIONS

33. …AND ANOTHER ONE GUARDED BY DOGS

34. ON THE "BIRD" BENCH MY WIFE AND MY SISTER DECIDED TO TAKE A REST

36. GUARDIAN ENTRANCE

37. UPPER GUARDIANS ENTRANCE

39. IT IS TIME TO GO HOME

40. PRESENTATION AND PICTURES (SOME FROM INTERNET) BY DAN CALISTRAT dcalistrat@aol.com