Lost in time: Initiation wells are a mystery

THESE vast wells burrow deep into the ground of a grand estate, but their true purpose is lost in time

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The initiation wells in Portugal continue to attract many tourists

Toronto-based photographer Istvan Kadar visited the wells at the Quinta da Regaleira estate in Sintra, Portugal.

Even though Quinta da Regaleira is littered with lakes, grottoes, grand buildings and fountains, the peculiar Initiation Wells are a key tourist attraction.

Istvan Kadar captured the mysterious images in 2015

Upon seeing the wells, Istvan was struck by their enormity and the contrast they struck between dark and light.

Kadar said: “Looking down into Initiation Well, a powerful connection to a mysterious ancient past overwhelmed my emotions.

“The contrast between the oppressive darkness inside and the bright hopeful light from above made me think of Hell and Heaven.

The sheer size of the wells shocked Istvan when he looked to the bottom

One of the wells has a 27 metre spiral staircase

“I wondered what treasures must have been hidden there - what translucent layers of passion, fanaticism, power, crimes, secrets, exaltations, coat the walls to create their unique patina.

“What dark souls still walk the hallways, shrouded in shadows?”

The cavernous wells were not used for water, instead they are thought to have been used for various ceremonial purposes, including Tarot initiation rites.

Istvan managed to walk down the staircase to explore the wells and their hidden depths

What actually occurred during initiation rites in the eerie reaches of the wells is unknown and the mystery continues to draw tourists from all over the world.

There are two wells on the estate, the first contains a 27 metre spiral staircase with several smaller landings. The smaller well is made up of straight staircases that connect a series of ring-shaped floors to one another and is also known as the Unfinished Well.

The estate has passed between owners and once belonged to the family of the Viscountess of Regaleira before they sold it to Carvalho Monteiro, who invested a lot of time and money in transforming the site.

The wells were supposedly used for rituals rather than storing water

Istvan said: “When I was in Lisbon, Portugal, I heard of Sintra’s beautiful and mystical castles and places and since I was always enchanted by mysterious and dark abandoned places, I knew I needed to make a day-trip to see this magical place myself.”

“The Quinta da Regaleira is a vast estate that sits within this historical landscape. It has had many owners throughout the years, each contributing their own personal touch.”

The estate once belonged to the family of the Viscountess of Regaleira

You can reach the bottom of the well by walking under ground for eight minutes

“The mysterious beauty and symbology of the Quinta de Regaleira is like an open window into the past, and one of the last buildings in Sintra that carries the memory of the region’s rich and
varied history.

“The initiation wells leave one wondering about the events that once transpired there.”

Kadar, who is originally from a Hungarian town in Transylvania, also descended the epic staircases of the Initiation Well to explore their hidden depths.

Very little is known about the wells to this day

He said: “You can climb down or you can also reach the bottom of the Initiation Well from a tunnel after walking for a good eight minutes below ground in near total darkness.
“When you reach the end of the tunnel, you arrive to the bottom of the well. There you will find a compass over a Knights Templar cross, which is said to have been Monteiro’s herald and a sign of his Rosicrucianism.

“Very little is known about how the wells were used and what exactly went on there, though it is clear to see that great effort went into their planning and construction.”