The capital of the Alentejo region, Évora is a blend of culture and history. This historically rich town has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986 and is only an hour away from Lisbon. Évora is home to multiple monuments from different periods of history, ranging from Roman ruins to the Roman Temple of Diana.
Whether you want a unique traveling experience or want to enjoy the rich culture, you will enjoy Évora by visiting the places mentioned here.
10 Best Things to Do in Évora
Évora is nestled In Portugal’s heart, and it shows how Portugal has evolved through different periods of history. Ranging from Chapel of Bones to Giraldo Square and Almendres Cromlech, Évora has a lot of attractions that will leave you mesmerized.
- Check Out the Capela dos Ossos
- Visit the Évora Museum
- Check Out the Roman Temple of Diana
- Explore the Praça do Giraldo
- Visit the Évora Public Garden
- Visit the Sé Catedral de Évora
- Enjoy Royalty at the Royal Palace of Évora
- Visit Cromeleque dos Almendres
- Go to the Palácio Duques de Cadaval
- Check Out the Roman Baths & Évora Town Hall
1. Check Out the Capela dos Ossos
Commonly known as Chapel of Bones, this is one of the most-visited places in Évora. It’s right beside the Church of St. Francis and was named so because the interior walls are adorned with human bones and skulls. The chapel’s design is inspired by San Bernadino alla Ossa. It was constructed by Franciscan friars in the 16th century, and around 5,000 corpses were disinterred to decorate these walls.
There were 43 cemeteries around Évora during that time and they were taking up a lot of space. So, the monks decided to relocate the bones by building the chapel and decorating its walls with the corpses. The skulls and bones were put in place through cement while the ceiling was completed with white-painted bricks.
The bones of the general public burned in the medieval cemeteries were used, and the friars were responsible for arranging the bones into patterns. Chapel of Bones also has two corpses displayed in the glass cases, and one of them is a child. Moreover, there is a white coffin by the altars, and it has the bones of three monks who founded the chapel in the 13th century.
There are three small openings on the chapel’s left side and it has eight pillars. Also, there are death motifs on the ceilings, and some skulls are doodled with graffiti.
2. Visit the Évora Museum
The Évora Museum is housed in a 16th-century archbishop palace, and it’s located between the cathedral and the Roman Temple. It was created back in 1915 and shows the evolution of the town throughout history. Recently in 2017, it was pledged to Frei Manuel do Cenáculo, who was a monk from the 18th century. Frei Manuel do Cenáculo was the Évora’s bishop and managed to collect multiple archaeological pieces. These pieces also include art from ancient churches and convents.
Ranging from medieval artifacts and Roman empire’s sculptures and Visigothic artifacts, there are 20,000 pieces in the museum. In addition, there are Flemish and Portuguese paintings, along with Episcopal furnishings for people who appreciate art. The museum has a 13-panel image series known as Life of the Virgin, which has been around since 1500. As the name suggests, this painting series is based on the Virgin Mary, and it was once placed in the Évora cathedral.
Josefa d’Óbidos was the first female artist of Portugal, and the Évora Museum has her paintings from the 16th century. One of the standout additions is the painting by Gregório Lopes that portrays the execution of Jesus. Last but not least, this museum has a collection of rare prehistoric jewelry, along with artifacts from the Dolmen of Zambujeiro.
3. Check Out the Roman Temple of Diana
The Roman Temple of Diana is the 1st-century Roman template and is known as the symbol of Roman Portugal, made with Corinthian aesthetic in mind. It is surrounded by the Évora Museum, Loios Church, and Cadaval Palace, as it stands in the center. It is a part of the forum assigned to emperor Augustus, who was worshipped as a God and is one of the best-preserved ruins of the Iberian Peninsula. However, it has been dedicated to the goddess of hunting, Diana.
During the 5th century Germanic invasion, some of the Corinthian columns were destroyed, but 14 of them are still standing tall at 10ft stone podium. The Temple of Diana was used as a slaughterhouse till 1836 and gallows during the Inquisition, and this was before Évora was declared a Christian town. It was restored in the 19th century with the purpose of restoring the original lines and dignity.
During the 20th century, new excavations were done, but the portico remains were also found. The most surprising fact is that irrespective of all the destructions and modifications, the Roman Temple of Diana still maintains the original blueprint. In particular, the Corinthian columns made from white marble are still intact because the mosaic floor is completely destroyed.
4. Explore the Praça do Giraldo
Commonly known as the Giraldo Square, this is the main square of Évora. It’s surprising how once it was a place of the most violent events in history, it stands tall in its pleasant and calm setting. During the Spanish Inquisitions in the 16th century, this square witnessed mass murders, along with the killing of the Duke of Braganza back in 1484 by King John II.
He was killed because the Duke of Braganza was in the Spanish mobility league aimed at overthrowing the Portuguese king. The king’s spies came across the letters, and his execution was declared as a warning to other people conspiring against the king.
In addition, the square has been used as a regional court because autos-da-fe courts were planned for the public. One of the most notorious events happened in 1573 as court convicts were burnt alive on these huge pyres.
Today, this square is home to open-air restaurants and cafes and has become a place for tourists to relax after strolling around the town. It was constructed in the 13th century as a public area to host weekly markets, but it was abandoned in the 14th century when the Estaus Palace was built. A small section of the palace is still present in the square, and it has the tourist information office. The square is adorned with wide stone arches and white facades, which are a testament to the Gothic architecture.
5. Visit the Évora Public Garden
Enhanced with diverse vegetation, Évora Public Garden is a garden with a rich history and vibrant architecture. There are multiple monuments in the garden, ranging from the Medieval Wall to the Ruínas Fingidas and D. Manuel Palace. Évora Public Garden also has a 19th-century bandstand, which has hosted a lot of music concerts, adding a touch of modernity.
Ruínas Fingidas were built by using architectural materials from other ruins of the town. In addition, these ruins are pieces and towers from the medieval wall and are close to the D. Manuel Palace. The park was built between 1863 & 1867, and it is based on the royal vegetable garden of King Manuel and S. Francisco Convent.
José Cinatti, an Italian designer and architect, is the mastermind behind this garden, and he completed the gardening and archeological work. The garden is a culmination of duck ponds, flowerbeds, exotic vegetation, foreign species of trees, and small lakes.
6. Visit the Sé Catedral de Évora
Sé Catedral de Évora is the largest medieval cathedral in Portugal, and it’s a fortified church enhanced by Gothic features. The plan was initiated back in 1186 but was sanctified in 1204 and completed in 1250. It was initially used as a main temple by the Marian cults, so it shows the shift from the Romanesque to the Gothic aesthetic. Later in time, Baroque and Renaissance were introduced to the church.
Sé Catedral de Évora has two medieval towers, and the south tower has bells. On the contrary, the north tower has treasures from the Museum of Sacred Art, such as the Virgin and Child figurine, the Virgin of Paradise image, and Birth and Passion snippets. The central dome was constructed at the end of the 13th century over the orders of King Dinis, and has become a showstopper.
The main portico has different Gothic portals and Apostles’ master sculptures. In addition, there are two entrances to the church: North Gate, constructed during the Baroque time, and Porta do Sol, with Gothic arches. The transept has the Chapels of the Relics and Chapels of St. Lawrence, and they are enhanced with gilded carvings.
The church also has a gothic cloister from 1325, and the terrace offers a panoramic view of the Évora because this church is built on the highest point of the town.
7. Enjoy Royalty at the Royal Palace of Évora
The Royal Palace of Évora used to be the residence of the Kings of Portugal and it originated from convents built back in the 13th century. The convent was used by the royals in the 14th century, but it transformed into a palace during the reign of King John I, as he used to use this place as a personal leisure place. Then, during King Afonso V’s reign, it became a royal palace even though King Manuel I and King John II turned it into a Renaissance palace.
Over time, the palace has worn down because of urban redevelopments, decay, and wars, but some parts are still intact. The Royal Palace of Évora was an important spot during the Portuguese Renaissance during King Manuel I’s reign, as Vasco da Gama and Gil Vicente used to have meetings with the king.
Fast forward to 1865, this palace was used as an exhibition space, theatre, and archeological museum, but the roofs were destroyed in 1881. After this destruction, the palace was used as the public theatre house, known as the Teatro Eborense and was designed by Adriano de Sousa Monteiro. He changed the palace’s design and added a second floor, only to be burnt in 1916. It remained like this till 1943, but National Monuments discovered it and restored it to save the pavilion’s remaining old parts.
8. Visit Cromeleque dos Almendres
Cromeleque dos Almendres is known for its oval-shaped boulders that look like stone eggs. These stones are around 10 feet tall and are aligned in a circle, creating a rather mysterious appearance. It is one of the biggest prehistoric European monuments, and it’s said to have instituted around 7,000 years ago. In the beginning, this monument used to have 100 stones, but the majority of them swere unearthed during the 1960s, and some of the tumbled ones were repositioned by scholars.
The stones are aligned according to the equinox, and many believe they are according to astronomical observations. Around 12 of these monoliths have carved drawings, but they still remain a mystery as no one has managed to decipher the meaning. Some monoliths also have human figurines, and it’s likely that they are the figurines of the gods: it leads to a narrative that these stones were used by cults.
Cromeleque dos Almendres is also known as the Portuguese Stonehenge, and it’s 2000 years older than the stone monument of England. There is also a visitor center close to the monument, but it’s covered with cork, along with a shop that sells souvenirs from the area.
9. Go to the Palácio Duques de Cadaval
It is the Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval, and it belonged to Casa Cadaval ever since it was built. In the beginning, it was named the Palace of the Tower of the Five Corners. It has the Church of Lóios and a manor house, and it has a combination of Manueline, Gothic, and Mudejar architecture. The palace has a medieval tower as well as the Torre das Cinco Quinas: it was declared a National Monument in 1920.
The historical context of this palace includes the arrest of the Duke of Braganza back in 1483, after which he was killed. He was the last monarch, and in the early 1990s, the palace was restored on the orders of Claudine Marguerite Marianne Tritz. Now, there are exhibition rooms here that have a collection of sculptures, codices, weaponry, and paintings. Lastly, the palace has a restaurant with native wine from Casa Cadaval and a terrace with stunning views.
10. Check Out the Roman Baths & Évora Town Hall
The Roman Baths are a part of the Évora Town Hall, and they were built during the 2nd and 3rd centuries. However, they were discovered later in 1987 when the Évora Town Hall building was being excavated by archeologists. These baths were a place for hygiene purposes, but many citizens would hang out there to talk and negotiate business deals.
The Romans Baths have three different areas, including Natatio, Praefurnium, and Laconicum. The Laconicum is a spherical room with a vault and marble plates: it was a place for steam baths as it had the highest temperature. A huge circular tank was built on the bottom and had three steps that surrounded the hipocaustum (the heating system).
The Praefurnium has a furnace, and it was used as a central heating system to make sure water and air in the other rooms were hot. Lastly, the Natatio is an outdoor pool that’s lined with gantries.
Conclusion
Visiting Évora will leave you appreciating the rich history of Portugal and the touch of modernity in different monuments. The restoration of this historic town is exceptional, as you can see the remains of monuments from the 3rd and 4th centuries. In summary, Évora is a must-visit town if you like exploring the rich history of Portugal!
FAQs
Is Évora Worth Visiting?
Yes, this town is worth visiting as it has a rich history and a lot of historic monuments. It is also only an hour away from Lisbon, so accessibility isn’t a problem.
Why Is Évora So Popular?
Évora is popular for its well-preserved historical sites and town square. In addition, the town center is surrounded by medieval walls and has monuments from different historical periods.
What Food Is Évora Famous for?
Two famous food options include açorda Alentejana and açorda de marisco. These are regional specialties where bread slices are served with broth, making them comforting.
Is Évora Only a Day Trip From Lisbon?
Yes, it can be a day trip from Lisbon because it’s only an hour away but you won’t be able to visit all the historical places. However, you can spend a night in Évora and see all the historical places.
Do You Need a Car in Évora?
There are a lot of public transportation options available in Évora, so you don’t need a car. Also, the town center is only 15 to 20 minutes away.
Is Évora a Walkable Town?
Yes, it is an extremely walkable town. Even the longest point in this town is 8 miles, so it is easy to walk from one historic sight to another.
