Initiation Well in Quinta da Regaleira

Mysterious system of underground tunnels in the palace and park complex Quinta da Regaleira (Quinta da Regaleira), built at the beginning of the last century in the Portuguese municipality of Sintra, though is the mystical transitions from light to dark. The central building is considered to be a well of Initiation, the entrance to which is guarded by guards chthonic penumbra, representing the world of mid-tones.
According to legend, a mysterious pit depth of 27 meters, resembles an inverted tower Masons conducted rites of initiation. The ceremony of initiation into Freemasonry traditionally ends at the bottom of the pit, which shows the eight-pointed star. Shingles well spiral staircase railing with strange, overgrown with moss, circles symbolize heaven or hell - depending on the direction of motion. Exit the mystical well possible through a stone door leading to the underground tunnel.





This unusual pit initiation is in Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, Portugal. Made by human hands, the well was so named because it held initiation rites Masons.



It is a 27 meter spiral staircase, leaving deep into the mountains, having 10 levels that support the carved stone columns.



These levels represent a 10 circles of hell, purgatory 10 laps and 10 laps of the garden, which is described by Dante. In each span 15 degrees.



The well itself was built on the unity of opposites, that is: the sky - it's underworld, hell-am glad this world and the hereafter.



When a man goes down to the bottom of the pit, he, as it were passing through a certain ritual knowledge of his soul.



The lower a person sinks to the bottom, the darker it becomes.



But the compass in the well, drawn on top of the cross of the Knights Templar, always pointing to the east, which means that people come to the light.
A little wander in the dark, we still come to light.



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