The Inverted Masonic Tower: The Well of Initiation

The Inverted Masonic Tower: The Well of Initiation

Categories: Design and Architecture | Europe | History

The mysterious system of underground tunnels in the Quinta da Regaleira palace and park complex, built at the beginning of the last century in the Portuguese municipality of Sintra, supposedly serves as mystical transitions from light to darkness. The central structure is considered to be the well of Initiation, the entrance to which is guarded by the chthonic guards of penumbra, representing the world of penumbra.

The Inverted Masonic Tower: The Well of Initiation

According to legend, in a mysterious well 27 meters deep, resembling an inverted tower, Masons performed initiation rites. The initiation ceremony traditionally ended at the bottom of the pit, where an eight-pointed star is depicted. The spiral staircase encircling the well with outlandish railings overgrown with moss symbolizes the circles of heaven or hell - depending on the direction of movement. The exit from the mystical well is possible through a stone door leading to an underground tunnel.

The Inverted Masonic Tower: The Well of Initiation

The Well of Dedication is located in the Quinta da Regaleira estate in Sintra, Portugal. Made by human hands, this unusual well got its name because the initiation rites of Masons were held in it.

The Inverted Masonic Tower: The Well of Initiation

It is a 27-meter spiral staircase going deep into the mountain. The staircase has 10 levels, which are supported by carved stone columns.

The Inverted Masonic Tower: The Well of Initiation

These levels symbolize the 10 circles of hell, 10 circles of purgatory and 10 circles of paradise, which Dante described. There are 15 steps in each flight.

The Inverted Masonic Tower: The Well of Initiation

The well itself is built on the unity of opposites, that is, the underworld is opposed to heaven, heaven is hell, this world is otherworldly.

The Inverted Masonic Tower: The Well of Initiation

When a person descends to the bottom of the well, it is as if he goes through a certain rite of cognition of his soul.

The Inverted Masonic Tower: The Well of Initiation

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

The Inverted Masonic Tower: The Well of Initiation

But the compass in the well, drawn on top of the Knights Templar cross, always points to the east. This means that a person goes to the light.

The Inverted Masonic Tower: The Well of Initiation

After a little wandering in the dark, we still come out into the light.

The Inverted Masonic Tower: The Well of Initiation

The entrance to the well of Initiation is guarded by the guards of the otherworld.

The Inverted Masonic Tower: The Well of Initiation

Opposite the entrance to the well there is a "Divine Terrace", which is protected by two ziggurat towers - these are cult structures resembling truncated pyramids, on the upper tier of which there was a sanctuary.

Keywords: Well | Legend | Masons | Rite | Portugal

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