The inverted tower of the Freemasons: the well Dedication

A mysterious network of underground tunnels in the Palace and Park complex of QUINTA da Regaleira (Quinta da Regaleira), built in the beginning of the last century in the Portuguese municipality of Sintra, though, is a mystical transitions from light to dark. The Central building is the well Dedication, the entrance to which is guarded by a chthonic guard penumbra representing the world of twilight.

According to legend, in a mysterious well depth of 27 meters, reminiscent of an inverted tower, the masons were carried out rites of initiation. A dedication ceremony was traditionally ended at the bottom of the pit, depicting eight-pointed star. Surrounding the well spiral staircase with strange railing, overgrown with moss, symbolizes the circles of heaven or hell, depending on the direction of motion. The output of the mystical well possible through the stone door leading to the underground tunnel.

The well Dedication is in the estate QUINTA da Regaleira in Sintra, Portugal. Made by human hands, this unusual well got its name because there were initiation rites of the Freemasons.

He is a 27-meter spiral staircase, going deep into the mountains. The stairs 10 levels that support the carved stone columns.

These levels represent 10 of the circles of hell, a 10-circles of purgatory and 10 laps of Paradise, which was described by Dante. Each span of 15 degrees.

The well is built on the unity of opposites, that is, heaven opposed to hell, heaven — hell, to the world beyond.

When a person descends to the bottom of the well, then he kind of goes through a rite of knowledge of his soul.

The lower man sinks to the bottom, it becomes darker.

But the compass in the well, drawn on top of the cross of the knights Templar, always pointing East. This means that a person goes to the light.

A little wander in the dark, we are still coming to light.

The entrance to the well of Initiation guarded by the guards of the underworld.

Opposite the entrance to the well is "the divine terrace", which is guarded by two towers and ziggurats is religious buildings, reminiscent of a truncated pyramid, on the top tier which was a sanctuary.