Evora (Portugal)

Evora, capital of Alto Alentejo, is situated on top of a hill, 93.20 miles northeast of Lisbon. It is a city with a rich architectural patrimony and 50,000 inhabitants that has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1986.

The Romans conquered the town in 59 BC and named it “Libertas Julia.”They developed the city and built a temple to Diana, and the enclosing walls, before the Visigoths took over and occupied the spot from the 5th through 8th centuries.

Then it was the Moors who surrounded the city in 715; they occupied it until its re-conquest in 1165 by Geraldo Sempavor (“Gerardo, the Fearless”). The Cathedral’s construction is started shortly thereafter. Starting with the 13th century, the Court decided that it liked Evora as a place to set itself up at the end of the 14th century. A golden age that lasts for two centuries comes about; other than its political role, the city becomes, under the reign of João II, an intellectual training ground of great renown. Numerous palaces and churches are built during this period, for example, the São Francisco and São João Evangelista churches…But in 1536, the Inquisition comes about and puts an end to this prosperous period.
In 1580, Spanish domination accelerates the city’s decay; it ends when Bompal closes the university. After that, Evora consolidates its regional location.

Today’s city has not preserved any of its Muslim vestiges, However, many of its buildings show the influence of Moorish art. The Hispano-Arab culture has left its imprint everywhere: in fountains, hanging gardens, arches…Each period of the region’s history is represented, forming an original and harmonious whole.

Diana’s Temple

A Roman temple build at the end of the Second Century AD, on top of the upper city’s summit. The foundations and capitals are made of Estremoz marble. It is the best preserved monument from Antiquity to be found on the Iberian Peninsula.

The Sé Cathedral

Built in granite between 1186 and 1286, the Sé Cathedral is Gothic in style, with the exception of its Roman tower and its conical, pine cone shaped dome that is surrounded by several pinnacles. Its gate bears depictions of the apostles in Estremoz marble; they are perfectly preserved. Two towers built during the 16th century surround it. One of the towers ends in a tile-covered spire; the other is a square tower.

The University

Founded in 1551 by João III, the “Saint Esprit College of the Company of Jesus” was turned into a faculty directed by the Jesuits in 1559. This edifice is a veritable tiles "azulejo" museum, in terms of all its staircase walls, cloisters, classrooms, refectory, and more. They are all decorated with very beautiful enamel square ceramic tiles. Closed down in 1759, one would have to wait until 1979 before Evora would rediscover its university.

Cromleche d’Almendres

Located 12 kilometers form Evora, it is made up of 92 elliptical menhirs, some of which are decorated with cosmological symbols. Alentejo offers several manifestations of megalithic culture.

Evora is a university town that is home to 8,000 young people. It is also an important source of work for 1,200 people, especially because of the EPCOS-TYCO electric plant. Evora is the World Leader in cork stopper production.
In its historical center and suburbs, small workshops produce pinewood, poplar, and willow wood furniture, which is painted with white lacquer and decorated with bright, innocent-looking designs. Hide tanning, wool creations, and rug making complete the local artisanry. Wine, cheese, olive oil, and cork are high quality Evoran products that, more and more, are exported to the countries of the European Union, the Unites States, and Canada.

Evora’s tourism industry was developed throughout the 1990’s; there has been considerable development when it comes to hotel offerings and restored establishments. This sector now represents 10% of the regional income. All year long, there is an arts and crafts marketplace at Campo da Feira, on the first and third Tuesday of the month.

Also from June 24 through the 29th, the Saint John Fair (feira de São João) offers sports competitions, concerts, and folklore spectacles.