Sintra, continued

Perhaps the most intriguing in this town of amazing sights was the Quinta da Regaleira.
It was built in the 1890s by a millionaire obsessed with the occult and with mystery.

The rooftop terrace includes sculpted animals that are also said to have symbolic meanings.

The neo-Gothic chapel has Templar symbols.

In addition to the usual gardens, woods, waterfalls, and ponds, the vast estate is filled with hidden passages, caves,
spiral staircases in towers, and even an underground path that takes you from one part of the estate to another!

In one spot in the garden, a stone door pivoted to open and brought you into a spiral staircase leading down 88 feet into the ground
and connecting with an underground passage. It was supposed to have been used originally for secret ritual ceremonies.

It was truly an unbelievable place!

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