Quinta da Regaleira and Carvalho Monteiro

Upon arriving at Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, Portugal, visitors naturally want to learn about its history, sculptures, paintings, and interpretations.

They seek to understand the ideals represented, uncover the mysteries behind the artworks, explore the particularities of its architecture, and gather other pertinent information.

Our instinct drives us to delve into Quinta da Regaleira’s depths.

However, merely acquiring such information, while crucial, is insufficient to truly comprehend the monument.

In this case, understanding the life history of its original owner, António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, becomes essential.

Henceforth, for practicality, António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro will be referred to as Carvalho Monteiro or simply CM, as he frequently identified himself at Quinta da Regaleira.

The chronological sequence of significant events related to Quinta da Regaleira

To provide context within the historical milieu of Carvalho Monteiro’s life and the construction of Quinta da Regaleira, I present a list of pertinent dates:

– 1848, Nov 27th: Carvalho Monteiro is born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
– 1859: Carvalho Monteiro travels from Brazil to Portugal.
– 1871: Carvalho Monteiro graduates in Law and leaves his degree in Philosophy incomplete.
– 1879: Luigi Manini arrives in Portugal.
– 1893, Dec 11th: CM purchases Quinta da Regaleira for 25 “contos de réis,” the currency at the time.
– 1898: CM commissions the project to Luigi Manini.
– 1900: Construction of the palace, chapel, and garden commences.
– 1905: Construction of the palace gardens begins.
– 1908, Feb 1st: King D. Carlos I is assassinated in Terreiro do Paço, Lisbon.
– 1910, Oct 5th: Transition from the monarchy regime to a republic.
– 1912: Completion of palace works, chapel, and garden.
– 1913, Oct: CM is arrested, implicated in the monarchic attempt of 1913 against the republican Afonso Costa. He is later released.
– 1913, Dec 25th: Death of Perpetua Augusta Pereira de Melo, Carvalho Monteiro’s wife.
– 1918: Conclusion of the garden’s floral decorations.
– 1920, Oct 25th: Carvalho Monteiro passes away at Quinta da Regaleira.
– 1949: Waldemar Jara d’Orey purchases Quinta da Regaleira.
– 1988, Jan 12th: Sale in favor of Aoki Corporation.
– 1997: Sintra City Council acquires Quinta da Regaleira from the Japanese group Aoki Corporation.
– 1998: Quinta da Regaleira opens to the public.

Where did his money come from?

I take the opportunity to mention that Carvalho Monteiro’s fortune was inherited from his father. The latter traded precious stones, in addition to other ventures.

Carvalho Monteiro’s social network

To comprehend the work undertaken at Quinta da Regaleira, it’s crucial to consider that during his time at the University of Coimbra, Carvalho Monteiro maintained close friendships with notable figures such as Hintze Ribeiro, Bernardino Machado, Guerra Junqueiro, and other prominent personalities of the era.

As this text will primarily cater to non-Portuguese speakers, I recommend researching the aforementioned names.

Given such friendships, one can infer that Carvalho Monteiro was undoubtedly a man of significant cultural stature.

A proclivity for esoteric subjects

As a man of the 19th/20th century, he possessed extensive knowledge of esoteric subjects and maintained a remarkably high general culture, akin to contemporary standards.

Historical records indicate that he spoke Latin with fluency comparable to Portuguese and possessed a unique collection of books by Camões.

A devout Catholic, he staunchly supported the monarchy and maintained a personal friendship with King D. Carlos.

Consequently, when D. Carlos was assassinated on February 1st, 1908, Carvalho Monteiro draped the palace with black and purple crepes for several days in a gesture of reverence.

Carlho Monteiro’s personality

Studies on Carvalho Monteiro depict him as a reserved individual with refined tastes, which he enjoyed in the company of family or friends rather than displaying them ostentatiously.

However, following the establishment of the Republic, CM, being a personal friend of the king and possessing considerable wealth, became the target of a shameful campaign aimed at discrediting him.

Although the campaign achieved some success initially, it appears to have ultimately failed to withstand the test of time.

Those seeking to discredit CM portrayed him as miserly.

Yet, for those who knew him intimately, he was recognized as a profoundly generous individual, albeit cautious in his expenditures and humble in his interactions, yet resolute in his convictions.

Carvalho Monteiro within Lisbon’s social circles

He played a significant role as one of the founding members of the Lisbon Zoo. He anonymously supported various charitable endeavors such as the Misericórdia de Sintra and the artistic initiatives of the Royal Theater of São Carlos.

References to Carvalho Monteiro’s purported affiliation with Freemasonry abound, yet this topic remains a point of contention among scholars.

While many argue for his involvement with Freemasonry and interpret various symbols in Quinta da Regaleira through that lens, others assert that no concrete evidence supports such claims.

Carvalho Monteiro’s profound cultural background, religious devotion, and unwavering support for the monarchy are evident throughout Quinta da Regaleira.

And thus, Quinta da Regaleira came into existence

Its owner envisioned Quinta da Regaleira, the palace, and gardens, which appear to have sprung from a fairy tale, and found in Luigi Manini the perfect collaborator for its realization.

What CM articulated, Luigi Manini meticulously recorded and brought to life.

As we explore Quinta da Regaleira, we encounter remnants of Carvalho Monteiro’s personality, and only by considering the characteristics of its original owner, coupled with the expertise of its architect, can we truly grasp the purpose behind each element.

To conclude about Quinta da Regaleira

I hope this brief text has piqued your curiosity to visit Quinta da Regaleira. I aspire to serve as your guide through this monument in the gallery of my favorites.

You can join us for a visit to Quinta da Regaleira along with our Sintra monuments and Cascais Tour.

Enjoy!

David Monteiro