Initiation Well

Name: Initiation Well
Address: Rua Barbosa Du Bocage 9 Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, Sintra, PT
Telephone: +351219106650

Landmarks ·Sintra ·Closed

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#3Landmarks in PortugalTravelers' Choice 2025

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Adultos (18 - 64 anos) EUR 20

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About

Initiation Well is an underground gallery built around a spiral staircase in the gardens of Regaleira Palace in Sintra, Portugal.

More photos 7

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Initiation Well — Mossy spiral tiers and arched niches seen from above

Andrew Mcmillan · CC BY 3.0 · edited

Initiation Well — Visitors looking down through the well’s circular stone galleries

Initiation Well — Wide view down the well’s moss-covered concentric levels

Initiation Well — View upward through the well’s arched passageway to the trees

Initiation Well — Inlaid star pattern on the well’s circular floor

Initiation Well — Looking upward from inside the well toward its bright opening

Initiation Well — Narrow arched doorway and window in the well’s stone wall

Why go

An inverted tower descending 27 metres underground.
A staircase whose descent evokes Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy.

Plan your visit

Prices

Adultos (18 - 64 anos)EUR 20

From the venue's website · checked 12 Oct 2026

Opening hours

Today10:00 – 17:30Show all

Monday10:00 – 18:30

Tuesday10:00 – 17:30

Wednesday10:00 – 17:30

Thursday10:00 – 17:30

Friday10:00 – 17:30

Saturday10:00 – 17:30

Sunday10:00 – 17:30

Don't miss

Eight-pointed marble compass roseAn eight-pointed marble compass rose set into the lower floor over a Templar cross.At the bottom of the well.
Carved capitalsColumns supporting the spiral staircase have carved capitals.Along the staircase.
Limestone tunnel wallsRough, porous limestone from the coast near Peniche gives the tunnels an underwater character.Underground galleries.

Know before you go Tips for your visit

Know before you go

Visitors descend through the well in one direction.
External guides cannot lead tours inside the well.
Visitors with mobility difficulties and children under 15 must be accompanied around the estate.

Tips for your visit

The damp cave passages at the bottom are low, so visitors must stoop to pass through them.

Interesting facts3

1/3

The spiral staircase has nine landings, separated by flights of fifteen steps.
Palácio da Regaleira#Poço Iniciático - Wikipedia
The well symbolically leads an initiate from darkness toward light through several levels.
Puits initiatique du palais de la Regaleira - Wikipedia
The well stands south of the property’s Poço Imperfeito.
Palácio da Regaleira#Poço Iniciático - Wikipedia

History

1715Groups of 17, 1 and 5 niches encode the year Francisco Albertino Guimarães de Castro bought the property.

How to get there

On footAddress: Rua Barbosa Du Bocage 9, Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, Portugal.

On the same route

Gruta do OrienteA one-way underground route connects it with the well.
Portal dos GuardiãesConnected to the well by underground galleries; visitor access through this connection is not established.

Sources: Puits initiatique du palais de la Regaleira - W… · Início · Visitas · Quinta da Regaleira · Novos horários · Palácio da Regaleira#Poço Iniciático - Wikipedia · checked 10 Oct 2026

Where

Rua Barbosa Du Bocage 9 Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra

Website: regaleira.pt/
Phone: +351219106650

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

When is Initiation Well open?

Monday 10:00–18:30; Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–17:30.

Where is Initiation Well?

Rua Barbosa Du Bocage 9, Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra.

How can I contact the site?

Call +351 21 910 6650.

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