Traditionally, Alentejo is the region with lots of big properties, with great estates, which after the 1974 revolution, were transformed into cooperatives which didn't work very well; they were then made back into large and average properties. Alentejo is the region of oaks cork and the olive tree. They also breed pigs and sheep there. The one big problem of Alentejo is irrigation. This problem should soon be resolved thanks to the inauguration of Alqueva Dam which will be the biggest artificial lake in Europe and which hopefully will change the Alentejanos' life for the better. But Alentejo is not just inland, there is also a nice coast with several towns that have become very popular sea resorts. Gastronomy is another interest in Alentejo; don't hesitate to sample the local specialities there.
Take the highway towards Lisboa, after the toll you will have to take the 3rd exit where there is a sign for Ponte Vasco da Gama. One crosses the Tagus and continues on the highway to Évora. When you arrive, the best thing is to park the car and walk around the town. Visiting Évora will take you some time but in the end you won't be disappointed.
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Évora Cathedral |
Évora, the capital of Alentejo, was already an important city during the Roman occupation and was called "Liberalitas Julia" by Julius Caesar. The city was conquered from the Arabs in 1165 and it became very popular with the court during the first and second dynasties in the 15th century and was the 2nd city of Portugal. Important decisions were taken in Évora and important events of Portuguese history took place. The city still has parts of its rich past, there are very interesting monuments and a very special atmosphere due to its white houses, the light and shade, its small squares, arches, and pavements. Due to the well-preserved old town centre still partially enclosed by medieval walls, with its large number of monuments dating from various historical periods, Évora is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city now extends outside the walls and its main activity is now tourism, a sector in full development. In Évora, there are lots of monuments to be visited. Here is a list of some to help you choose, but Évora is a place where you could spend more than a day visiting.
- Do Giraldo square, the central town square, dominated by a marble 16th century fountain. And where there are lots of cafés with terraces and shops, it is usually very animated.
- Roman Temple, built during the 2nd or 3rd century, made out of granite and marble for the imperial cult, it is the ex-libris of the city.
- The Cathedral
This romano-Gothic style building is a type of fortress; it was erected in 1186 and consecrated in 1204. Its front is flanked by two towers with conical steeples dating back to the 16th century. Its portal represents the apostles placed on consoles, 14th century sculptures considered some of the best in Portugal. The church has 3 naves 70 m long, it is the biggest cathedral in the country. The central nave is covered by a barrel vault and has a triforium like the one in Lisbon. The transept is crowned with the most beautiful light tower in Portugal and the choir was built in the 18th century by the same architect as Mafra convent with Portuguese and Italian marbles; it contains paintings and sculptures from the 18th century. In the tribune there are stalls sculptured in Renaissance style and the organ is in the same style, dating back to the 18th century. The cloister is made out of granite, in Gothic style and dates back to the 14th century.
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Diana Temple Évora |
S. Francisco Évora |
- S. Francisco
The church was built on order of D.João II around 1480. Its front is crowned with conical steeples and crenellations, there is a covered gallery at the front. The portal has columns and manuelin arches and it is topped by D.João II's pelican and D.Manuel I's sphere. The church has one nave with several lateral chapels and in the choir there are royal Renaissance galleries and a neo-classic altar in limestone. The church is known for the Bones chapel built behind in the 16th century to incite the Franciscan monks to meditate. Bones and skulls cover all the walls and the pillars.
Next to the church, a little lower, there is a Public garden with the remains of the former 16th century D.Manuel's Palace, it has Moorish style windows.
