Évora in Alentejo is one of the best cities to discover the Alentejo Gastronomy and Wines. The city is surrounded by amazing vineyards that it is possible to visit. Some famous, others more traditional, the offer of food and wine is amazing and the perfect spot for wonderful afternoons.
Évora is located in the centre of Alentejo region and it is an important point to other cities in the region. Has road connection with Montemor, Estremoz, Beja, Vila Viçosa, Reguengos, Alcáçovas, Viana do Alentejo and Arraiolos. You will be able also to get the A6 highway that connects Lisbon to Madrid. The city has connections to Lisbon by train and a regional airport with several services.
The region has an amazing history. You will find more than 5000 years in very different and unique monuments in the city and surroundings. We present 6 Évora monuments that you can discover during your trip to this city.
Six Évora Monuments
Roman Temple
One of the most important monuments in Portugal, located on the highest point of the city and part of a roman forum.
During the centuries had several modifications and destruction, however maintains the original blueprint till today.
This Roman Temple has a base almost intact with 3,5 meters ( equivalent to 11,5 ft ). Romans had a huge importance in Iberia Peninsula. In Alentejo, Talha Wines is a good example of the Roman Culture.
Sé Cathedral
Built in the XIII and XIV century, has a gothic style and it is one of the most important medieval cathedral of Portugal and one of the best Évora monuments.
The construction was inspired by the Sé Cathedral of Lisbon.
You will be able to see the sihouette of the Sé Cathedral from a long distance, since it is in a highest point of Évora city. In fact, this Cathedral is the largest Medieval cathedral in Portugal.
You will be able to access to the cathedral through the Roman Temple (short distance) or the access from Giraldo Square (Rua 5 de Outubro, in the middle of the square).
The church was improved. Upper choir, baptistery, arch of the Chapel are some of the improvements made on 15th and 16th century.
Igreja São Francisco
Gothic and Manueline style, covered by an immense stone vault, is a masterpiece of Portuguese Gothic architecture.
Side by Side with Bones Chapel has an amazing story related with Franciscans Order from XIII century. The church has now an extensive area with ten side chapels.
The chapels are open and have altarpieces of gilded, polychrome and stucco.
Chapel of Bones
Located at Igreja São Francisco was constructed in the XVIII century. It was built in the 18th century and is entirely lined with human bones.
Built by Franciscan monks more than 5000 corpses were exhumed and used as decoration of the walls .
The legend says that these bones belonged to victims of a plague or soldiers which died in a major battle.
However, the fact is that the bones came from people buried in several Medieval cemeteries in Évora surroundings.
It is known for the famous phrase written at the entrance. The phrase is “Nós ossos que aqui estamos pelos vossos esperamos” which means “Here bones that we are, for yours we wait”.
Palácio de D. Manuel
Constructed in the 16th century it survived the blend of gothic, manueline and renascentist influence.
Inhabited by several Portuguese monarchs, including D. Manuel I, D. João III and D. Sebastião.
It was definitely lost in 1895, having been destroyed in 1619, during the visit of Filipe III to the country, which he sent to destroy the palace for the benefit of the community.
Lóios Convent
A church with clusters which are good examples of gothic and manueline in Évora.
At the moment the Lóios Convent is a hotel on the top of Évora in front of the Roman Temple.
Since it is a hotel, it´s not possible to visit besides the main entrance.
Some of these monuments have restrictions during the visit or not possible to visit at all. However, they are a piece of history. Évora has also for travelers the amazing Alentejo Gastronomy , sweets, cheeses, Olive Oil and of course, wines.