Our tuk-tuk driver though (3 wheeled vespas transporting locally in Sintra) convinced us to visit Quinta da Regaleira instead.

Built in the early 20th century by the Brasilian millionaire Antonio Carvalho Monteiro with an Italian architect,this place is beautiful,exxentric and very mysterious.

Monterio was a member of the Freemasons and a great admirer of the Knights Templar. At the top of the property you reach a well shaft where a staircase leads to the underground complex 27mtrs down. From there several underground passages lead back into the open. The major theory of this partical building is that it represents Dantes Inferno but there are also stories telling that this was used as a labyrinth testing newcomers to be members of the Freemasons of Sintra.

The whole garden and all buildings are impressive and all of it is permeated by mystiscism.