Enchanted Forest?

Not far from the castles of Sintra, there is an ancient Monastery.  It was inhabited by Monks who chose to live out and away from everyone in a life of seclusion.  Their home was literally made from and around the huge stones in the earth. 

This is the entryway

They survived by what they could grow and produce (being "self reliant"!) and only had room for 8 Monks to live there at one time.  If one passed away, they would then fill the space with a Monk from another sect. 

It was misty, rainy day in the woods which only added to the mystical feel of the forest and our surroundings!

Inside the living quarters it was crafted around existing stone walls  and they used local cork for ceilings, window and door frames

This is the size of their rooms...wall to wall!  This one is more like a suite, because it has a window!!  You can see by the size of the doors...they were either very short men or stooping was part of the way they showed humility.

Elder Anderton was able to touch the ceiling...he was thrilled!

 

We ran into a Monk who was left behind!  Oops, that's Antonio Paulo!  (Notice the cork around the window)

 

Cork ceilings, windows and doors!  

 

This slab of rock is the dining room table!  It was such an interesting contrast to the Castle we visited earlier in the day!