Sights and landmarks in Évora

Sights and landmarks in Évora

1. See

   Almendres Cromlech

   Cromeleque dos Almendres

   Megalithic complex, an important megalithic monument in the Iberian Peninsula. It is the largest extant group of structured menhirs in the Iberian Peninsula, and one of the largest in Europe. It's about 10 km from Évora, going by Guadalupe.

2. See

   Capela dos Ossos

   Chapel of Bones

   Totally ornamented with human bones, surreal, perhaps creepy to some but a must-see. Contrary to what is often said, it is not unique.

3. See

   Cathedral of Évora

   Basílica Sé de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, Catedral de Évora, Sé de Évora

   Mainly built between 1280 and 1340, it is one of the most important gothic monuments of Portugal. The cathedral has a notable main portal with statues of the Apostles (around 1335) and a beautiful nave and cloister. One transept chapel is Manueline and the outstanding main chapel is Baroque. The pipeorgan and choir stalls are renaissance (around 1566).

4. See

   Chapel of São Brás

   Ermida de São Brás

   Built around 1480, it is a good example of Mudéjar-Gothic with cylindrical buttresses. Only open for prayer.

5. See

   Fountain of Portas de Moura

   Chafariz das Portas de Moura, Fonte da Porta de Moura

   The Renaissance fountain (in the Largo das Portas de Moura) was built in 1556, and an original design that includes globe surrounded by water (referencing the Age of Discovery).

6. See

   Holy Spirit College of the Order of Christ

   Colégio do Espírito Santo, Colégio da Companhia de Jesus, Universidade de Évora

   Today a nucleus of the University of Évora, the former Jesuit college was ordered constructed by Cardinal-King Henrique in 1559, and includes 16th-century Mannerist elements, in addition to academic buildings constructed between the 17th-18th century (including cloister).

7. See

   Lóios Convent and Church

   Igreja dos Lóios

   Built in the 15th century, contains a number of tombs; the church and the cloister are Gothic in style, with a Manueline chapterhouse with a magnificent portal. The church interior is covered in azulejos (ceramic tiles) from the 18th century. In 1965 it has been converted into a top-end pousada.

8. See

   Palace of the Counts of Basto

   Palácio dos Condes de Basto, Paço de São Miguel da Freiria, Palácio do Pátio de São Miguel

   A primitive Moorish castle and later residence of the Afonsine dynastic kings. Its outer architecture displays features of Gothic, Manueline, Mudéjar and Renaissance styles.

9. See

   Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval

   Paço dos Duques de Cadaval, Palácio dos Duques de Cadaval

   a 17th-century palace, built from the remains of an old castle (burnt down in 1384), and later serving as Governors and Royal residences. The palace includes Manueline-Moorish architectural elements (including the Tower of the Five Shields), and whose first-floor houses a collection of manuscripts, family portraits and religious art from the 16th century.

10. See

    Prata Aqueduct

    Aqueduto da Água de Prata

    Designed by military architect Francisco de Arruda (who previously designed the Belém Tower, it was built during the reign of by King João III between 1531 and 1537, the huge arches which stretched 9 km (6 miles) to supply water from the interior to Évora. The aqueduct extended to the Praça do Giraldo, and bisected the city, resulting in the construction of houses, shops and cafés built between the arches (such as in the areas of Rua da Cano, Travessa das Nunes and Rua do Salvador street). A segment of the Roman wall and foundations of period buildings are preserved along Travessa Alcárcova de Cima, a narrow lane in the historic center. This structure was mentioned in the epic poem Os Lusíadas by Luís de Camões.

11. See

    Roman Temple of Évora

    Templo romano de Évora

    Improperly referred to as the Temple of Diana, was a 1st-century (in some references 2nd or 3rd century) temple, dedicated to the cult of Emperor Augustus, that was incorporated into mediaeval building and, thus, survived destruction. Évora's most famous landmark, it is constructed of 7.68 m (25.20 ft) Corinthian columns and fourteen granite columns, and whose base, capitals and the architraves of marble excavated from Estremoz.

12. See

    Royal Palace of Évora

    Palácio de Dom Manuel

    Remnants of a palace built by King Manuel I in Gothic-Renaissance style. According to some chroniclers, it was in this palace, in 1497, that Vasco da Gama was given the command of the squadron he would lead on his maritime journey to India.

13. See

    Saint Francis Church

    Igreja de São Francisco

    Built between the end of the 15th and the early 16th centuries in mixed Gothic-Manueline styles. The wide nave is a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture. Contains many chapels decorated in Baroque style, including the Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos), totally covered with human bones.

14. See

    Great Dolmen of Zambujeiro

    Anta Grande do Zambujeiro

    Very unusual by its size.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Évora (CC BY-SA 4.0).