Initially the Romans named it “Ebora Cerelis” linking the town 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. It well fortified city was captured from the Moors by the famous Portuguese general, Geraldo Sem-Pavor in 1165. Later Évora became an important place in the middle centuries when it was chosen by the Jesuits as a seat of learning and culture. In 1663 Dom Lãoa de Áustria lead the Spanish into the city which was later recaptured by the English forces. Until the annexation of Portugal by the Spanish in 1580 the Portuguese Royal House of Avis (1385-1580), often used the town as a location from which to conduct their court. In the 18th Century its influence waned when the University was closed. This walled city with its strange enchantment has since been declared by UNESCO as one of their World Heritage Sites. Inside the city are many interesting buildings and ancient remains dating as far back as to the Dolmens and Neolithic times. The region surrounding 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 suitable manor houses.
Évora - Description
Basically the town today likes to be considered a seat of learning with its 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 it had been used in its history as a armoury, theatre, and even a slaughterhouse. Another attractive feature is the 15th Century Convento dos Lóios that has been reconstructed as a luxurious Pousada. The city’s 13th Century cathedral 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 João II witnessed the beheading by his orders of his brother-in-law the Duque de Bragança. Equally unpleasant were the "auto-fe" ceremonies held by the Jesuit Inquisition as impressive spectacles to place fear into the spectators. A macabre reminder is the Capela dos Ossos in the 15th Century Igreja de São Francisco. Here lies the bones of some 5.000 monks 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 museum, formerly the palace of the Bishop and built with many worked stones from previous buildings in the city houses some interesting religious items. A specialty of the town is the “Pão de Rala” bread-cake made with pumpkin.
Évora - Nearby Locations
To the north is the 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. To the southwest is the quiet sleepy town of Alcáçovas that attracted Dom Dinis. Its origins are pre-Roman but 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 by Dom Dinis. To the south-east is the 13th Century town of Portel where little remains to remind us of its historic past. 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. There is still evidence left in Portel of its castle built by Dom Dinis in the 14th Century.
