Attractions - Portugal

Attractions - Lisbon

Evora, Portugal

Evora is one of Portugal’s most agreeable towns, combining historical elegance with an informal ambience. One of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, Evora’s Moorish walled town centre holds important Roman remains as well as a host of other architectural and artistic treasures, and many cafés and restaurants serving good food and fine wines.

Lose yourself in the maze of Evora’s streets with their delightful names: street of the Countess’s Tailor, street of the Cardinal’s Nurses, Square of Our Lord of Earthquakes, or alley of the Unshaved Man and of the Sulking Child. The most prominent feature of this city is probably the fine 2nd or 3rd-century Roman Temple ruins, probably dedicated to the Goddess Diana. Evora’s fortress-like cathedral was started in 1186 and took 60 years to complete. Enter through a portal lined with 14th-century apostles, which are in turn lined with enormous asymmetrical granite towers. Once inside, make sure to climb up the south tower to the choir and on to the treasury, which houses some of the most sumptuous ecclesiastical items, including a fine collection of paintings. Evora boasts several museums, and the best of these are the Museu de Arte Sacra, the Galeria de Arte Casa Cadaval, the Museu de Artes Decorativas Religiosas and the Museu de Evora, housed in the 16th-century former Episcopal Palace. The courtyards are filled with resplendent fragments of old statuary and facades from the Alentejo region, including Roman, Medieval, Manueline and later styles. There are temporary exhibitions here, as well as the permanent collections, which include Flemish paintings and Neolithic relics.

A n area of great archaeological interest lies on the plains surrounding the town. As well as remains from the Roman occupation, there are a number of prehistoric remains, including a cave decorated with Cro-Magnon paintings, Neolithic stone monuments, menhirs, dolmens and cromlechs, dating from around 4000 to 3000 BC. There are a number of tours based in Evora, so take a jeep safari, a horse riding or a fishing trip and enjoy the riches this area has to offer.

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