Évora and the Alentejo
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1. Igreja de São Francisco
After the Sé, this is the most impressive of Évora's churches. Its construction in the early 16th century, on the site of a former Gothic chapel, involved the greatest talents of the day, including Nicolas Chanterene, Oliver of Ghent, and the Arruda brothers, Francisco and Diogo. Magnificent architecture notwithstanding, the bizarre Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones) is the main attraction. The translation of the chilling inscription over the entrance reads, "We, the bones that are here, await yours." The bones of some 5,000 skeletons dug up from cemeteries in the area line the ceilings and supporting columns. With a flair worthy of Charles Addams, a 16th-century Franciscan monk placed skulls jaw-to-cranium so they form arches across the ceiling; arm and leg bones are neatly stacked to shape the supporting columns.
Praça 1 de Maio, Évora, Évora, 7000-650, Portugal266 704 521Sight Details
Rate Includes: Church free, Chapel of Bones €5 -
2. Igreja de São João Evangelista
This small church next to the former Convento dos Lóios, which is now the Pousada dos Lóios, houses one of the most impressive displays of 18th-century azulejos (painted and glazed ceramic tiles) anywhere in Portugal. The sanctuary, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, was founded in the 15th century by the Venetian-based Lóios Order. Its interior walls are covered with azulejos created by Oliveira Bernardes, the foremost master of this unique Portuguese art form. The blue-and-white tiles depict scenes from the life of the church's founder, Rodrigo de Melo, who, along with members of his family, is buried here. The bas-relief marble tombstones at the foot of the high altar are the only ones of their kind in Portugal. Note the two metal hatches on either side of the main aisle: one covers an ancient cistern, which belonged to the Moorish castle that predated the church (an underground spring still supplies the cistern with potable water), and beneath the other hatch lie the neatly stacked bones of hundreds of monks. This bizarre ossuary was uncovered in 1958 during restoration work.
Largo do Conde de Vila Flor, Évora, Évora, 7000, Portugal919 588 474Sight Details
Rate Includes: Church €4; combined ticket €8, includes the adjacent Palácio dos Duques de Cadaval -
3. Jardim de Diana
GardenOpposite the Templo Romano, this restful, tree-lined park looks out over the aqueduct and the plains from the modest heights of what is sometimes grandiosely referred to as "Évora's Acropolis." You can take in nearly 2,000 years of Portuguese history from here. One sweeping glance encompasses the temple, the spires of the Gothic Sé, the Igreja dos Lóios, and the 20th-century pousada housed in the convent. A garden café at the corner of the park is a great spot to reflect on the architectural marvels before you, with a glass of port in hand.
Largo do Conde de Vila Flor, Valverde, Évora, 7000, Portugal -
4. Praça do Giraldo
The arcade-lined square in the center of the old walled city is named after Évora's liberator, Gerald the Fearless. During Caesar's time, the square, marked by a large arch, was the Roman forum. In 1571 the arch was destroyed to make room for the fountain, a simple half sphere made of white Estremoz marble and designed by the Renaissance architect Afonso Álvares. Nowadays, it's a lovely spot to take in the scenery over coffee or cocktails at one of the many cafés with tables on the square. On the eastern side is a narrow cobblestone pedestrian thoroughfare called Rua 5 de Outubro that leads to the cathedral.
Praça do Giraldo, Évora, Évora, 7000, Portugal -
5. Sé
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this breathtaking cathedral was constructed in 1186 from huge granite blocks. It has been enhanced over the centuries with an octagonal, turreted dome above the transept; a blue-tile spire atop the north tower; a number of fine Manueline windows; and several Gothic rose windows. Two massive asymmetrical towers and battlement-ringed walls give the Sé a fortresslike appearance. At the entrance, Gothic arches are supported by marble columns bearing delicately sculpted statues of the apostles. With the exception of a fine baroque chapel, the granite interior is somber. The cloister, a 14th-century Gothic addition with Mudéjar vestiges, is one of the finest of its type in the country; it might look familiar to those who've visited a similar version at Lisbon's cathedral. Housed in the towers and chapter room is the Museu de Arte Sacra da Sé (Sacred Art Museum). Of particular interest is a 13th-century ivory Virgin of Paradise, whose body opens up to show exquisitely carved scenes of her life.
Largo Marquês de Marialva, Évora, Évora, 7000-809, Portugal266 759 330Sight Details
Rate Includes: €3, €4.50 includes museum -
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6. Templo Romano
The well-preserved ruins of the Roman Temple dominate Largo do Conde de Vila Flor. The edifice, considered one of the finest of its kind on the Iberian Peninsula, was probably built in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. The temple, largely destroyed during the invasions of the barbarian tribes in the early 5th century, was later used for various purposes, including that of municipal slaughterhouse in the 14th century. It was restored to its present state in 1871.
Largo do Conde de Vila Flor, Évora, Évora, 7000, Portugal -
7. Ermida de São Brás
A curious structure built in the late 15th century, this was the first important building in the Alentejo to join Gothic and Moorish elements and form the Gothic-Mudéjar style. The fortified church, a few hundred feet south of the city walls, is characterized by massive battlement-topped walls and a series of round towers crowned with steep spires.
Av. Dr. Francisco Barahona, Évora, Évora, 7000, Portugal962 095 714Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Mon., Sat. morning, and Sun. afternoon -
8. Igreja da Misericórdia
Extremely simple on the outside, the interior of this 16th-century church is lined with large azulejo panels in massive gilt frames depicting scenes from the life of Christ. The unsigned 18th-century tiles are thought to be the work of António de Oliveira de Bernardes.
Rua da Misericórdia, Évora, Évora, 7000, Portugal266 748 830Sight Details
Rate Includes: €3 includes museum -
9. Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Graça
A splendid example of classic Italian-style architecture, this church represents the first breath of the Renaissance in provincial Portuguese architecture. Note the massive figures on columns on either side of the portal. According to local legend, these four figures represent the first victims put to death in the Inquisition in Évora in 1543. The interior is lovely, but not quite as distinctive.
Travessa da Caraça, Évora, Évora, 7000, Portugal -
10. Igreja de Santo Antão
Note the striking white Renaissance facade of this church, which stands near the fountain at the north end of Praça do Giraldo. A medieval hermitage of the Knights Templar was razed in 1553 to make way for this church, which has massive round pillars and soaring vaulted ceilings. The marble altar in bas-relief is a holdover from the primitive hermitage. Packed with locals on Sundays, this is a good place to see a mass—or a glimpse of a local wedding on a Saturday in spring, if you're lucky.
Praça do Giraldo, Évora, Évora, 7000-508, Portugal -
11. Jardim Público de Évora
Off Rua 24 de Julho, the sprawling Jardim Público is a pleasant place to rest after the rigors of sightseeing. The extensive and verdant gardens are landscaped with plants and trees from all over the world. Here you'll find the lovely Palácio de Dom Manuel, known for its row of gracefully curved Manueline windows.
Rua 24 de Julho, Évora, Évora, 7000, Portugal -
12. Largo da Porta de Moura
One of Évora's most beautiful squares is characterized by paired stone towers that guard one of the principal entrances to the walled old city. The spires of the Sé rise above the towers, and in the center of the square is an unusual Renaissance fountain. The large white-marble sphere, supported by a single column, bears a commemorative inscription in Latin dated 1556. Overlooking the fountain is the Cordovil Mansion, on whose terrace are several particularly attractive arches decorated in the Manueline-Mudéjar style.
Largo das Portas de Moura, Évora, Évora, 7000, Portugal -
13. Museu de Évora
This handsome museum is in a stately late-17th-century baroque building between the Sé and the Largo do Conde de Vila Flor. Once a palace that accommodated bishops, it contains a rich collection of sculpture and paintings as well as interesting archaeological and architectural artifacts. The first-floor galleries, arranged around a pleasant garden, include several excellent carved pillars and a fine Manueline doorway.
Largo do Conde de Vila Flor, Évora, Évora, 7000-804, Portugal266 730 480Sight Details
Rate Includes: €3, Closed Mon. -
14. Palácio dos Duques de Cadaval
The palace is readily identified by two massive stone towers with pointed battlements. These towers, once part of a medieval castle that protected the town, were later incorporated into this former residence of kings João I and João IV. Today it belongs to the Duke of Cadaval family. Many rooms are open to the public and welcome regular temporary exhibits. Since 2022, the ground floor is also home to a contemporary Portuguese restaurant called Cavalariça, an offshoot of a popular dining spot in Comporta.
Largo do Conde de Vila Flor, Évora, Évora, 7000, Portugal919 588 474Sight Details
Rate Includes: €5, €12.50 for combined ticket with the adjacent Igreja de São João Evangelista -
15. Universidade de Évora
From 1555 until its closure by the Marquis de Pombal in 1759, this university was a Jesuit college; in 1979, after a lapse of more than 200 years, Évora University resumed classes. Although enrolment is small, the college's presence enlivens this ancient city. It's worth a visit to the well-preserved buildings: the large courtyard is flanked on all sides by graceful buildings with double-tier, white-limestone, arched galleries in Italian Renaissance style. From the main entrance, you'll see the imposing baroque facade of the gallery known as the Sala dos Actos (Hall of Acts), which is crowned with allegorical figures and coats of arms carved in white marble quarried in the region. Lining the gallery's interior are azulejo works depicting historical, mythological, and biblical themes.
Largo dos Colegiais 2, Évora, Évora, 7000, Portugal266 740 800Sight Details
€3 access to classrooms and chapel when school is not in session Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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