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Initiation Well

Initiation Well

Initiation Well
5
Points of Interest & Landmarks
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
Part of the historic Quinta da Reglaeira estate, this deep well features a gothic spiral staircase that descends around 88 feet underground to a maze of tunnels. This mysterious well was said to be used for ceremonial purposes and tarot initiation rites. Admire the depths and moss-covered walls from above, before entering the well and exploring the tunnels, that will lead you to the gardens. Just remember a flashlight as it can be dark. There are often long lines, so visit right after opening, or at closing time for fewer crowds. Join a guided estate tour of Quinta da Reglaeira to learn more about its curious history. – Tripadvisor
Duration: < 1 hour
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  • wendave2
    Toronto, Canada72 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worthwhile experience
    Very interesting and fun place to check out. Try to get to Sintra early in the morning to beat the crowds. We took the train from Lisbon (Rossio station) and quickly walked up the hill to the Well. By the time we came out of the Well, there was a very long line of people waiting to go in.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 October 2023
  • TrezzR
    Toronto, Canada107 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Spectacular
    We had a bit of a wait (long line) but it was worth it. We went when it was said to be less crowded but that wasn't the case. There were a few tour groups there and I guess the last of the summer visitors. This has been on my bucket list for years and I am so glad I finally had the chance to do it. It can get a little claustrophobic going down but once you're down there it's fine. (it was only because there were a lot of people in front and behind us) I only wish we'd had fewer people and a little more time to be able to go down and enjoy the view and not feel rushed, but I understand that they wanted to get everyone through.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 30 January 2024
  • Tommo
    Melbourne, Australia56,935 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A well never used as one!
    This well is almost 27 metres deep and located at.Quinta da Regaleira. Amazingly it was never used as a well and built for secret ceremonial purposes. Its also an entrance to a series of underground entrances and walkways. One can walk down the spiral staircase that leads down to the bottom of the well. Its a really interesting place to visit and great for photo opportunities.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 6 February 2024
  • Tom Bentley
    Waukesha, Wisconsin57 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I don't care how long the lines is, just go see it!
    The well is simply crazy. It really is awesome. we were in the off season but the line still had 300 people in it, but it moved fast and we were in the well in 25 minutes. This thing never had a real purpose, it was just built to be cool and it was.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 May 2024
  • Lmira1971
    Perth, Australia203 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Long lines, nice once in
    Very long lines. Worth a look if you have time but personally I would spend more time at Pena and the moorish castle than this place. You stand in line for ages for a 5 mix attraction , but the tunnels underneath at bottom are interesting.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 24 May 2024
  • Dapger
    McKinney, Texas370 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very cool site to see.
    I enjoyed this area a lot and the well was very cool. The line looks horrible but goes really fast. The inside of the well is very impressive but the stairs can be slick in the wrong shoes. The cave was easy and well lit. The waterfall was a nice surprise.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 25 May 2024
  • Steve D
    Divonne-les-Bains, France849 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Quirky 100%
    Certainly enjoyed the walk through caves to the inverse tower. You cannot experience this anywhere else. Being faced with 3 exit choices we decided we need to see All 3 as most did. I enjoyed it.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 5 June 2024
  • Paul F
    St. Petersburg, Florida46 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Headed straight for the well.
    Went to Pena Palace first, so arrived around 12:30. It is a good half mile walk form where the bus will drop you off. Mostly up hill, so wear good walking shoes. As you approach the Quinta da Regaleira you will pass the exit first. The entrance is around the corner (about 200m up hill). I purchased my ticket in advance, so that saved a little time. When I got in I headed straight for the well (about 200m up hill). The queue for the well extends past the entrance (about 100m up hill). It took about an hour total to get through well. A little smaller in diameter than pictures would leave you to believe, but very interesting. Definitely the highlight of Quinta da Regaleira.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 13 June 2024
  • pfefmeister
    San Francisco, California4,367 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best Attraction
    This is where everyone heads, as should you. This is the only attraction that left an impression during our visit. The line moves quickly, you descend into the ground on a spiral staircase with a small waterfall at the end. Fun, but quickly visited, unless you need to take a hundred photos on the way down.
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 30 July 2024
  • tk3232
    Sugar Land, Texas4,269 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting and unusual
    Itinitation Well is located in the Quinta da Regaleira park and is one of the main attractions of this place. Despite all the scares in other reviews, the line was impressive at first glance, but moved very quickly. The stay inside itself will not take more than five minutes, but the impression is incredible, as if you were in space. It's an inverted 90 foot tower that goes down nine stories underground. Each floor is a symbol of one of the mortal sins. Each half-floor is a vice. After passing through purgatory, at the bottom, you'll walk through a cave and emerge into the light at a nice waterfall, cleansed of all your sins and happy to have gotten out of there.
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 3 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles1,047 reviews
Excellent
856
Very good
158
Average
25
Poor
6
Terrible
2

These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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Brendan N
Saint Louis, MO101 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
While exploring most of the culture around Portugal, from the Knights Templar to the Portuguese explorations, this was the worst place of them all. The history is not deep in this place and the price is expensive. I recommend avoiding this place unless you want to go through a paid spiritual journey.
Written 27 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bartonbears
Coffs Harbour, Australia2,768 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2023 • Couples
The queue to the well was 30 minutes long and extended for hundreds of metres up the path. Still, it moved steadily. The well itself, designed with mathematical precision to represent Dante's descent into hell (or enlightenment) descends 37 vertical metres and is an unforgettable sight. It is much more significant if you know its purpose (initiating new Freemasons), so have a guide. If you have mobility issues you should give this a miss.
Written 20 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GeneralShamu
New York City, NY1,174 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
Part of the Quinta da Reglaeira. This place gets crowded so be patient to be able to go in - it's definitely worth it. Pretty fascinating tunnel network after you get to the bottom - it is somewhat lit so do expect to need to turn on the flashlight on your phone to guide you at times. Safe for kids.
Written 26 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

spllmyr
Wennigsen, Germany57 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
It is something special, like an upside-down tower that has been grafted into a hill. The entire property is sprawling, park-like, with underground passageways, a castle-like building.
In my opinion, it is terribly and incoherently designed in many places. The overall impression is rather strange, as the whole thing is not that old.

It is precisely this "instagrammable object" that is attractive; it gives you photos that you don't really need to take anymore. But everyone takes them, including me. Some people take ages to do so. This is one of the reasons why the building cannot be photographed without a smartphone and the waiting time to enter was 90 minutes. During this time, you could see that the Silver Society also passes the time on TikTok, needs power banks, and others take selfies while waiting or videos of the entire queue, post them, and hashtag them.

It was something special. There is certainly no need to do it a second time.
Google
Written 17 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Eric S
Birr, Ireland13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
This well is a great place to visit as part of a tour of the Quinta da Regaleira. It is unique (in my experience), and of great interest if you are into the Knights Templar and similar groups. Look ot for the Knights Templar cross there
Written 15 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

The Flying Spaniard
Sofia, Bulgaria2,689 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020 • Solo
It is a place full of mysticism and magic. Maybe the templarian cross on the ground has something to be with it.

I was lucky to cross it almost alone, and you feel much more the energy this place transmits.

This is definitely one of the places that really touched me. If you visit Sintra, try to go at the end of the day, when there are less people, so that you have a more complete experience.
Written 29 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mihai GRIGORE
Palma de Mallorca, Spain175 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2019 • Couples
It is a must to see if you visit Quinta da Regaleira and you shouldn't miss it !!! Amazing architecture and amazing idea to build such a tower underground . A very mustique place full of positive energy.
Words cannot describe the feelings you have there! Just go and see with your own eyes !!!
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brambly Hedge
Ulverston, UK353 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022 • Couples
Have wanted to come here for years, after seeing it on YOUTUBE and it did not disappoint. The work that has gone into this place is incredible. Tip come early in the morning and make your way here first, by lunch time the queues were long, god knows what it's like in August. We saw quite a few tour groups being herded down the steps, in a rush, but we went on our own so had plenty of time to really appreciate it's beauty and wonder.
Written 7 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

spike8744
Cardiff, UK131 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023
Visited here for the Knights Templar History and to do some research into Templar Myth and legend. A fantastic place with its gardens and grounds keeping you interested for many hours. If you get the chance go down into the well and go through the tunnels beneath you won’t be sorry. There is a small cafe on site but leave that until the end to get your breath back and take in the surroundings including the Moors Castle high on the mountain top.
Written 19 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Yann Renaud
Switzerland862 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
An impressive well built in the middle of the huge park of the Quinta da Regaleira. I however guess it can become pretty anoying when the place is crowded... And you might well have to queue for getting down...
But if you are in the area, it is really nice to pay a visit to this highly symbolic well!
Written 20 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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