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Évora History
Long way back in history the Romans named it “Ebora Cerelis” linking the place
to the importance of the Alentejo plains for growing wheat. The surrounding area
provided open mining of copper and iron, whilst the high quality marble went to
embellish their fine villas. They then later renamed the town "Liberalitus Julia
Ebora". In 414 the Visigoths captured Évora from the defending Romans. They in
turn were eventually evicted by the Moors led by Aziz in 713. The subsequently
well fortified city was captured from the Moors by the famous Portuguese
general, Geraldo Sem-Pavor in 1165. However, retaken by the Moors it eventually
was taken out of their grip by the same Portuguese General. Later Évora became
an important place in the middle centuries when it was chosen by the Jesuits as
a seat of learning. King Afonso IV resided here with his Court for 14 years, and
also later Manuel I until 1511.
In 1663 Dom Joăo de Áustria lead his Spanish army into the city putting to death
most of the inhabitants. The town was was later to be recaptured by the
Portuguese army with the help of English forces.
In the 18th Century its influence waned when the University was forcefully
closed with the expulsion of the Jesuits. This walled city with its strange
enchantment was declared by UNESCO in 1886 as one of their World Heritage Sites.
Inside the city are many interesting buildings and in the surrounding
countryside ancient archaeological remains can be found. This region around
Évora is scattered with signs of the Roman occupation and even the much older
Megaliths, dated between BC 4.000 to 2.000. As the region has always been an
agricultural area there are many large private estates with their respective
manor houses.
Évora Description
Essentially the town and its population of over 41.00 likes to be considered as
a seat of learning with its original University founded in 16th Century by
Cardinal Dom Henrique. Within the surrounding wall the most prominent feature is
without doubt the 2nd or 3rd Century ruins of a Roman Temple dedicated to the
Goddess Diana. Before being rescued from its neglected state of ruin in 1870 as
it had been used in its history as an armoury, theatre, and even a
slaughterhouse. Among the attractive features is the 15th Century Convento dos
Lóios that has been reconstructed as a fascinating Pousada. The city’s Cathedral
started in 1186 took some 50 years to build and is reminiscent of a fortress
except for having been flanked by two unmatched towers. The main square with its
16th Century fountain has a sad history. Among other events Dom Joăo II
witnessed the beheading by his orders of his brother-in-law, the then Duque de
Bragança who was accused of betrayal to the throne. Events much later led to the
descendents of this same Duke in 1640 to the throne of Portugal. Equally
unpleasant were the "auto-fe" ceremonies held by the Jesuit Inquisition as
impressive spectacles to place fear into the spectators. Another macabre
reminder is the Capela dos Ossos in the 15th Century Igreja de Săo Francisco.
Here lies the bones of some 5.000 persons with an entrance sign reading “we
bones that here await yours”.
There are several museums, principally the Museu de Arte Sacra, Galeria de Arte
Casa Cadaval, the Museu de Artes Decorativas Religiosas and the Museu de Évora.
The later museum was formerly the palace of the Bishop and was built with many
worked stones from previous buildings in the city. It also houses some
interesting religious items. One of the outstanding architectural interest is
the Palácio dos Condes de Basto The Palácio de Dom Manuel (also known as
Convento de Săo Bento de Castris), which was built in 1490 was used as the seat
of the court by the House of Avis during their reign. Outside and close to the
city is a 18 kilometre Aqueduct built in 1532 to supply water to the city's
inhabitants. Nearby is the "Convento da Cartuxa" a 16th Century Monastery which
is still occupied by 7 monks. When visiting take advantage of the many excellent
restaurants serving regional specialities. A snack food specialty of the town is
the “Păo de Rala” bread-cake made with pumpkin.
Évora Nearby Locations
To the north is the city is the small town of Arraiolos with its prominent 14th
Century castle and 16th Century church. This town has made its name from as
early as the 17th Century with its superb quality handmade carpets and rugs
depicting historic and religious events or attractive floral designs. However,
there is evidence that this cottage industry is believed to have commenced in
the time of the Moors occupation of the area. To the southwest is the quiet
sleepy town of Alcáçovas that attracted the King, Dom Dinis. Its origins are
pre-Roman and in 1283 it was granted a charter as a town by Dom Afonso III. It
was the historic location in 1457 for the wedding of Portuguese princes to two
Spanish princesses and it was in this town that the Peace Treaty of the War of
Spanish Succession was signed in 1668.
Directly to the south is the town of Viana do Alentejo, raised to the status of
a town in 1313 also by Dom Dinis. To the south-east is the 13th Century town of
Portel where only ruins act as a reminder to a visitor of its historic past. The
castle was built by Dom Dinis in the 14th Century and there are several
interesting buildings in this attractive small town that also date back to Roman
times. Directly to the east is the town of Redondo set in the heart of the wine
district. This area has many megalithic monuments indicating that during the
past Neolithic period it was a populated area and an interesting example can be
seen at "Monte dos Almendres" with 95 standing menirs provoking ideas of the
unknown religious past.
To the west of Évora is the town of Montemor-o-Novo. This town is the birth
place of "Saint John of God" (1495-1550), patron saint of Hospitals and the
sick. Dom Manuel I was very fond of the town and its former castle was the
largest in Portugal. There are still many buildings within the town reflecting
the Manueline style of architecture. The museum in the Convento de Săo Domingos
maintains an interesting exhibition of the many items found in the region which
is rich in archaeological sites. The nearby Grutas do Escoural caves contain
paintings dating as far back as 30,000 years! Also, close by these is the Dolman
known as Zambujeira which has a 14 metre-long entrance. Another important site
is the Cromlech de Almendares, a circle of Menhir stones. Even further to the
west is the small town of Alcaçovas which was a favourite summer retreat of King
Dinis who built its palace. The palace is now in ruins. The name of this town is
also marked in history as being the location of a Treaty in the 15th Century
which divided the known world between the Portuguese and the Spanish.
Évora Map (Click Here)
Évora Weather
     
Évora Events
Festival of Senhora das Candeias - 2nd February
Feira de Săo Brás - 1st to 3rd February
Feira dos Ramos - Week before Easter (Friday)
Feira de Săo Joăo - 24th to 30th June
Town Holiday - 29th June
Feira Nova - 12th October
Market Day - 2nd Tuesday of the month
Évora Information
 800 296 296 - Support to Tourists
112 - SOS
266 777
000 - Town Hall
266 743
240 - Fire Brigade
266 740
100 - Hospital do Espírito Santo
266 746
977 - Police
266 702
671 - Tourist Office
Évora Locations of Interest
Aqueduto da Água de Prata
Arch - Porta de Avis
Arch - Porta de Moura
Castle walls
Cathedral - Sé de Évora
Chapel - Capela de Săo Brás
Church - Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Graça
Church - Igreja dos Lóios
Church - Igreja das Mercęs
Church - Igreja de Santo Antăo
Church -Igreja de Săo Francisco
Convento da Cartuxa
Convento da Graça
Convento da Santa Clara
Convento de Santa Helena do Monte Calvário
Convento de Săo Bento de Castris
Home - Casa Cordovil
Palácio dos Condes de Basto
Palácio de Dom Manuel
Palácio dos Duques de Cadaval
Palácio Real de Săo Francisco
Roman Spa Springs of Évora
Roman Arc of Dona Isabel
Square - Pátio das Escolas
Square - Praça do Giraldo
Templo Romano de Diana
Tower of Sertório
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