2-377-079 - Samuel Magal/Sites & Photos/Heritage Images

A pinnacle with gargoyles, Regaleira Palace, Sintra, Portugal, 2009. Classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995, the Quinta da Regaleira consists of a romantic palace and chapel and a luxurious park featuring lakes, grottoes, wells, benches, fountains and a vast array of exquisite constructions. The construction of the current estate commenced in 1904 and most of it was concluded by 1910. The architecture of the estate evokes Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Manueline architectural styles. The estate celebrates the glorification of everything which is sacred to humankind and reflected in Portuguese mythological and esoteric traditions.The palace is also known as Palace of Monteiro the Millionaire, from the nickname of its first owner, Antonio Augusto Carvalho Monteiro.