Évora

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The monuments found in Évora tell the story of this town-museum. In 1986 it was classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site due to its immense legacy and historical wealth. A stroll through the historic center of Évora reveals the Roman presence at Praça do Giraldo, the metropolis most important monument throughout all times, because it was here that everything took place. Also the Arco de Dona Isabel is one of the many traces of the Roman occupation. The noble manors and palaces tell the life story of Évora's aristocracy, that once lived here. The local gastronomy has deep roots. On a visit to this city you also get to meet the traditional cuisine, with dishes such as pork and lamb stew, served with bread and washed down with plenty of olive oil. The lamb stew, soup of cation and game dishes are part of the menu of local restaurants. The desserts are the conventual sweets, such as the barrigas de freira (porridge made with bread crumbles, almonds and cinnamon). After Coimbra, Évora is the city with the second oldest university of the country, which was founded in 1559. It had a turbulent history that caused it to be dismissed, due to the expulsion of the Jesuits, and it was only reopened in 1973. One of the ex-libris of the city, and classified as a national monument, is the Temple of Diana. The temple dedicated to the goddess Diana has two thousand years and its ruins are considered to be the best-preserved of the Iberian Peninsula. The Museu de Carruagens (Carriage Museum) and the Museum of Évora are also great starting points for a visit to the city. And, without forgetting the patrimonial wealth, you should also visit: the Convent of Loios, the Aqueduct of Água de Prata, the Tower of Sertório, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Espinheiro and Sertório.

What to do in Évora

Capela dos Ossos

Évora

One of the symbols of Évora, the Capela dos Ossos lies in the interior of the Church of San Francisco and was built in the 17th century. The walls lined with bones and skulls-estimated at 5000-intend to convey the message of the transience of life.

Templo Romano de Évora / Templo de Diana

Évora

The Roman temple of Diana is the ex-libris of the city of Évora. It has 14 granite columns, with the bases and capitals made of Estremoz marble.

Sé de Évora

Évora

The Cathedral of Évora is a Romam- Gothic construction from the 12th and 13th centuries. It’s a large and imposing temple with three naves ending in a transept with an ogival cloister dated from the 14th century. The main entrance is decorated with sculptures representing the Apostles. The inside of the temple is dated from the 17th and 18th centuries. …

Mosteiro da Cartuxa

Évora

16th century convent which preserves the two-storey cloister rectangular plant. The Church, designed by Afonso Álvares, is a single nave covered with tiles. Are to point out a burial headstone and a 16th century sculpture representing St. Bacchus.

Aqueduto da Água da Prata

Évora

This is a renaissance work, planned by Fransico de Arruda. It is a granite aqueduct, with a tower baring the image of a saint standing out.

Cromeleque dos Almendres

Évora

Cromlech megalithic architecture characteristic of region of Évora. Consists of two sets of menhirs arranged in concentric circles. Are classified as Property in the public interest.

Paços de Évora / Palácio de Dom Manuel

Évora

The Ladies gallery is what remains from this Palace which was built by the Avis dynasty during the 16th century in Gothic – renaissance style. Gil Vicente has represented seven of his Acts in this Palace dedicated to the Queens Dona Maria de Castela and Dona Catarina da Àustria.

Castelo de Valongo

Évora

Medieval castle dating from 1283. In the 15th century the keep underwent some changes and, in the 19th century, it was acquired by its current owners. The architecture is both civil and military, with Gothic and Manueline influences.

Igreja e Antigo Convento de Nossa Senhora do Espinheiro

Évora

The church underwent several improvements. From the fifteen hundreds primitive outline e from the manueline reform it only remains two apse chapels from the transept and traces from the primitive polygonal apse. On the inside it has a nave covered …

Arco Romano de Dona Isabel

Évora

Stone arch that corresponds to one of the doors of the roman city of Évora.

Villa Romana de Nossa Senhora do Tourega

Évora

This Roman villa is located on a small elevation, along the ribeira de Valverde, 12 kilometers from Evora. There was the former municipal headquarters, Liberalitas Ebora Iulia. To the East of the building there is a large tank whose main …

Piscinas Municipais de Évora

Évora

Um complexo constituído por uma cuba de saltos com pranchas, uma piscina olímpica, uma piscina de aprendizagem, dois tanques para bébés, uma piscina coberta e um polidesportivo.

Chafariz da Praça de Giraldo

Évora

The fountain, a work of the architect Afonso Álvares, was built in the XVI century. It is made of white marble ending with a crown of bronze and eight ajutages. The tradition says these eight ajutages correspond to the eight …

Ermida de São Brás

Évora

Is a 15th-century temple, being built on the initiative of Dom João II. The galilé consists of Gothic arches, representing faithfully the primitive Temple. Inside, yet, you can observe some panels of painting over the altar, two of them illustrating …

Museu Nacional Frei Manuel do Cenáculo/ Museu de Évora

Évora

After a few years of closure for repairs, this space Museum reopened to the public in June 2009. It features permanent and temporary exhibitions, including collections of 15th and 16th century painting, sculptures of the middle ages and the Renaissance. …

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Travel Guide

Up to date tourist information about the city's top attractions

Blessed Rest: Sleeping in Old Convents

Sleeping in old convents is a unique experience, ideal for those looking to retemper energies. Come and discover these …

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Where to eat in Évora

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Where to sleep in Évora

Imani Country House
Imani Country House

Located just an hour from Lisbon and ten minutes of Évora, Imani Country House in Quinta de Montemuro, a farm with unique characteristics in the Alentejo, full…

Convento do Espinheiro
Convento do Espinheiro

5 star

The Convento do Espinheiro, A Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa is housed in a former monastery dating from the 15th century, classified as a national monument. T…

Pousada Convento de Évora
Pousada Convento de Évora

Historic inn

Inn set on a former convent from the XV century offering repose in a genuine monastic atmosphere, enjoying all the comfort and hospitable tradition. It has vie…

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Near Évora

Reguengos de Monsaraz

Reguengos de Monsaraz

Reguengos de Monsaraz belongs to the District of Évora and is limited, to the Southwest, by imposing the Guadiana river. The past of this municipalit…

Vendas Novas

Vendas Novas

The municipality of Vendas Novas-formerly part of the territory of Montemor-o-Novo-only account with two parishes and is just 60 kilometres from Lisb…

Montemor-o-Novo

Montemor-o-Novo

Montemor-o-Novo is one of the largest municipalities in Portugal, with an area of 1450 square kilometers. In economic terms, meat production is one o…

Arraiolos

Arraiolos

Arraiolos is inserted in the middle of the Alentejo plain, in the district of Évora. Its natural beauty and the famous tapestries of Arraiolos attrac…