Explore with Sarah Louise

The Santa Justa Lift, also called Carmo Lift, is an elevator, or lift, in the civil parish of Santa Maria Maior, in the historic center of Lisbon. Situated at the end of Rua de Santa Justa, this 19th-century industrial-era lift transports passengers up the 45m from the Baixa district up to the Largo do Carmo. #santajustalift #santajustaelevator #portugal #lisbon #travel

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3 days ago | [YT] | 4

Explore with Sarah Louise

I absolutely loved these sand animals in Lisbon. I actually saw someone else in the cruise Facebook share them so the next day as we had a double in Lisbon I ran down to search for them.

A couple of guys were watering them constantly to keep them fresh

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3 days ago | [YT] | 6

Explore with Sarah Louise

Lisbon is home to the oldest bookstore in the world, if ass founded in 1732 by Livraria Bertrand in the Chiado district. It holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest operating bookstore. It has survived many major events, including the 1755 earthquake, and remains a beloved literary spot with a cafe. It’s layout is super unique as you walk down a tunnel with various sections along the way and the cafe is down the bottom end. #lisbon #portugal #hiddenlisbon #thingstodoinlisbon #travel

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1 week ago | [YT] | 6

Explore with Sarah Louise

Let’s go

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 4

Explore with Sarah Louise

Is this London’s most Christmasy house? #christmasdecorations #christmasdecor #christmaslights #mostchristmassyplaceever #londonsmostchristmassyhouse

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2 weeks ago | [YT] | 3

Explore with Sarah Louise

Quinta da Regaleira is one of the most mysterious and fascinating palaces in Sintra. Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its palaces, lush forests, and romantic architecture.

The estate was built in the early 20th century, in around 1904, by António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, a wealthy Brazilian-Portuguese businessman. He was often called Monteiro dos Milhões — “Monteiro of the Millions.” And was the wealthiest man in Portugal at the time. Monteiro was a free Mason and was deeply interested in mysticism, alchemy, astrology and symbolism. He believed wisdom reveals itself only to those who observe carefully. As a scholar of esoteric wisdom he wanted to create a property and garden that represented the spiritual journey. He believed that true knowledge is hidden, accessible only to those who seek and understand symbolism and the Quinta da Regaleira was his way of representing that, the garden and house being full of hidden symbolism. It is required to visit multiple times to really understand all
that is being represented.

To bring his vision to life, he hired Italian architect Luigi Manini, who designed the palace and gardens in a unique Neo Manueline style, a Portuguese architectural style inspired by the Age of Discoveries.

The palace represents the spiritual journey of initiation, death, and rebirth and is heavily influenced by Freemasonry, Templar lore, Alchemy, and Mysticism. It is full of underground passageways and secret tunnels that pop up in various places around the estate.

One of its most famous elements is the famous 27-meter-deep Initiation Well, which is an inverted tower symbolizing descent into the earth for spiritual enlightenment and transformation. We have to overcome darkness to reach the light, there is no light without darkness.
It is believed to represent the 9 circles of Hell, or stages of spiritual rebirth from Dante’s Inferno.

At the very bottom of the well is a circular floor, simply decorated with coloured tiles in shades of ochre. Here, the tiles depict the cross of the Knights Templar, an 8 pointed star and at the centre the grand master, a symbol exclusive to Free Masons who believe in the Christian doctrine. It’s believed that secret initiation rituals may have taken place here, linked to Freemasonry or the Knights Templar.
A number of Underground tunnels lead out of the well and not all paths lead to the exit. There are many wrong paths that take you to the unfinished well and the waterfall before making it out and back to the light.

Spiritually curious, he blended Christian mysticism with ancient traditions hence the inclusion of a small chapel. The chapel is two buildings in one as underground is a crypt. The chapel has an image of a resurrected Christ. Templars did not believe that Christ was dead. There are no Templar churches showing a crucified Christ.

Lining one of the main paths into the estate is the Promenade of the Gods which included, stone statues of Venus, Hermes, Dionysus, and many other Greek gods and goddesses. The Greek god Dionysus is featured throughout the estate, and is a powerful symbol connected with the cult of Free Masonry.

The Fountain of Abundance (Fonte da Abundância) is also a significant feature, notable for its large, tiled facade, obelisks symbolizing Masonic pillars, and decorative seashell/serpent carvings, suggesting themes of fertility, eternal life, and and spiritual nourishment, with some visitors even drinking the water.

A throne-like altar sits before the fountain, connected by drainage holes to hidden subterranean systems, suggesting themes of sacrifice and blood rituals . This makes people question what really went on at the property.
Was it all just symbolic or did something more sinister happen here during the ten years of ownership?


The two obelisks flanking the fountain represent the Pillars of Boaz and Jachin at the entrance to King Solomon's Temple, a common Masonic motif.

The owner, Carvalho Monteiro, bought it in 1892. Construction began in 1904 and was mostly completed by 1910. Monteiro died in 1920, so sadly, he didn’t have many years to enjoy his estate.

#quintadaregaleira #sintra #portugal #sintrapalaces #palaces #lisbon #portugal #masonic #europeanarchitecture #travel #illuminati #rituals

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3 weeks ago | [YT] | 4

Explore with Sarah Louise

The most amazing views from the Cádiz tower. It’s a pretty long walk to the bell tower but the 360 degree views are absolutely worth it! #cadizcathedral #cadiz #spain

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3 weeks ago | [YT] | 5

Explore with Sarah Louise

Lisbon Christmas lights #christmas #christmaslights #lisbon #lisbonchristmaslights #rossiochristmasmarket

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3 weeks ago | [YT] | 7

Explore with Sarah Louise

Lisbon Christmas lights #christmas #christmaslights #lisbon #lisbonchristmaslights #rossiochristmasmarket

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3 weeks ago | [YT] | 5

Explore with Sarah Louise

I think this has to be a good omen for the Uk. I couldn’t believe it when just for a moment this cloud formation formed under a super clear double rainbow with both ends visible. The Isle of Wight is a little big scale wise 😉 #uk #britain #england #news #viral

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4 weeks ago | [YT] | 6