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Evora, capital of Alto Alentejo, city
of an outstanding beauty, embraced by its fortress walls, filled
with historic memories in each street, each home, each
inhabitant…Its squares and monuments tell us national history,
religion and culture episodes and its townsfolk are proud of both
past and present times.
The natural beauty of this region combines
with the monumental richness of this town-museum that nowadays is
also a modern and touristy city, classified by UNESCO, since 1986,
World Heritage. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, the
archaeological landscape that surrounds the city presents important
monuments, such as the Cromeleque dos Almendres (cromlech) and the
Anta Grande do Zambujeiro (dolmen). Many were the ancient people
that have been here, but the Romans were those who transformed Evora
into an imperial town. They called it Ebora, named after
Julio Cesar as Liberalitas Julia, and left several signs of
their passage, from which the roman temple, known improperly as "Templo
de Diana", stands out.
In 715 AD, the city was conquered by the
Arabs but there are only a few archaeological evidences of that
time. In 1165, Giraldo Sem Pavor (Fearless Giraldo),
on a sudden incursion, took the city from the Moor, and that event
was printed on the city coat-of-arms. The importance of Evora is
undeniable along the centuries: during the Avis Dynasty (1385-1580)
the city became the chosen place of the court, which settled here
frequently, to the detriment of Lisbon or Coimbra. Cardinal King D.
Henrique founded, in 1551, the Colégio do Espírito Santo (Holly
Spirit College), which became the Evora University in 1559, when it
received Rome's approval.
In 1759 it was closed by order of Marquês
de Pombal, on the Jesuits expulsion, reopening again in 1973. As a
reaction to the Filipes' dynasty domination, Evora became a battles'
stage for the national independence. But after the throne was
reclaimed, the court turned away from the city. Since the XX
century, one can notice a rousing will to recover from the wasted
time, restore the monuments and embellish the city. The historic
centre of Évora, as a monumental ensemble of great historic and
cultural value, was classified by UNESCO, in 1986, World Heritage.
HISTORICAL
TOUR
1 - PRAÇA DE GIRALDO
(Giraldo Square).
Central Square within the historical centre. Arcades, shopping and
church of Sto. Antão (XVI cent). Fountain and 5 de Outubro Street
(arts and craft, restaurants and accommodations).
2- CATEDRAL
DE SANTA MARIA
(St. Mary’s Cathedral). Monumental Roman-Gothic building
(XIII- XIV cent.).
Cloister and
Sacred Art Museum.
3 - LARGO CONDE VILA
FLOR
(Conde de Vila Flor Square).
Ruins of the Roman Temple (Ist cent.). City Museum, Public Library, Loios
Church and Convent (Pousada) (XV- XVII cent.). Palace of the Earls
of Cadaval (XVI cent.). Horse and carriage tours.
4 -
CASTELO VELHO
(Old Castle). Late Roman walls (Old wall). S. Miguel Chapel.
Palace of the Earls of Basto (Private).
Streets of
Freiria de Baixo and de Cima.
5 - UNIVERSIDADE DE
EVORA / COLÉGIO DO ESPIRITO SANTO
(University / Jesuit College). Holy
Spirit Church (XVI cent.). Main cloister and the class rooms (XVIII
cent.)
6 - LARGO
DA PORTA DE MOURA (Moura´s Square Gate)
Towers from the Roman Gate. Manuelina – Mudejar window from the
house of Garcia de Resende (XVI cent.). Cordovil Manor House with a
Mudejar balcony (XV- XVI). Misericordia Street. Mudejar balcony from
Soure Manor House (XVI cent.). Shopping, services, restaurants.
7 - PRAÇA DO
SERTÓRIO
(Sertório Square).
City
Hall building (XIX cent.). Roman Baths (II, III cent.). Salvador
Church and Convent. D. Isabel Arch (gate from late roman period).
Arts and craft, shopping, accommodation, services.
8 -
IGREJA
DA GRAÇA (Church of Graça).
Renaissance façade (XVI cent.). Convent Cloister (private).
Caraça bystreet.
9 - LARGO DE S.
FRANCISCO – PRAÇA 1º DE MAIO
(S. Francisco’s Square).
Royal church of S.Francisco (XV- XVI cent.). Gothic Cloister.
Chapel of the bones (XVII cent.). Palace of D. Manuel. Municipal
market(XIX- XX cent.). Centre of Traditional Arts (former arts and
craft museum).
10 - PUBLIC GARDEN
(XIX cent.). Palace of D. Manuel (surviving building from the
monumental residence of the Portuguese Kings) (XVI cent.). Lost
ruins (XIX cent.)With architectural Mudejar elements (XVI cent.).
Medieval
Walls (XIV cent.). Sixteenth century fortress.
11 - AQUEDUTO DA ÁGUA
DE PRATA
(Silver Water Aqueduct) (XVI cent.). Monumental (1533-37).
Rua do Cano, Porta Nova, Rua do Salvador e Rua Nova.
Giraldo Square fountain, Porta de Moura Square, Avis Square, Rossio
de S. Brás. Water Tank from Rua Nova.
OTHER CITY
TOURS
Jewish
Quarters:
Streets of Mercadores, Moeda and Barão Bystreet.
Moorish Quarters:
Mouraria Street, Church of S. Mamede, Alcaçarias Street.
Joaquim António
de Aguiar Square:
Municipal Theatre Garcia de Resende.
Medieval Walls:
Gates of Raimundo, Alconchel and Lagoa
Remédios Church and Convent (Periodic exhibition rooms).
Along
the way shops, restaurants, accommodation and services.
OUTSIDE CITY
ALMENDRES MEGALITHIC SITE. This is the largest megalithic monument in the Iberian Peninsula and one
of the oldest of Humanity’s monuments in Europe (V M. BC). About 13
Km West of Evora.
ENVIRONMENTAL WALKS.
Environmental walks of Montemuro, Ecopista and Agua de Prata
Aqueduct.
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