Location: Evora
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What to do and see in Evora, Alentejo: The Best Sights & Landmarks
Time seems to stand still in Evora, a well-preserved medieval town that features protective walls, a 13th-century cathedral, several palaces,and a 1st-century Roman temple. No surprise that the town center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even though it’s kind of creepy, don’t miss the Chapel of Bones, where the remains of nuns and monks are arranged in a haunting mosaic.
Restaurants in Evora
1. Capela dos Ossos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,483 reviews
The walls and pillars of the chapel, built in the century XVII, are lined with thousands of human bones and skulls. Ceilings with murals realtivas death. Written on a plaque next to the door, the phrase "We bones that are here for your hope", reminds us how fleeting passage through life.
Reviewed By jonahNJ - Pennington, United States
The one place I was really looking forward to visiting in Portugal was the Chapel of The Bones. Once inside this relatively small chapel, it exceeded my expectations! Note that the chapel is small, so there is a staggering of groups admitted to the chapel. However, the visitors moved along well during my visit. Just outside of the chapel is a poem which compels travelers to ponder their existence. If that was not enough of a prompt, just over the entrance to the chapel is the engraved warning “Nós ossos que aqui estamos pelos vossos esperamos” which loosely translates to “We bones that are here, we are waiting for yours." I then entered the chapel and sure enough all of the walls and pillars are covered in a variety of human bones and skulls. Skulls are also used to trim portions of the ceiling. During my visit, I learned that approximately 5,000 skeletons from church cemeteries in Evora were used to “decorate” the chapel. Visiting this small chapel was one of the most surreal experiences of my life and a must see for visitors to Evora.
2. Igreja de Sao Francisco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 457 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
You are about to visit "Igreja de São Francisco", a beautiful church at the historic center of Évora. It is considered to be the very first Franciscan Order church in Portugal, dating from the 13th century. Later, between 1475 and 1550, it was remodeled, acquiring Gothic and Manueline architectural characteristics, which are still seen. Along the years, the Portuguese Royal Family chose the church complex as its lodging place while visiting Évora, appointing "Igreja de São Francisco" as the "Royal Chapel". Generous donations from the Portuguese Crown helped creating its refined and luxurious interior, with beautiful altars, gilded sculptureworks and Renaissance and Baroque choir stalls. Ten open chapels, five on each side, reflect the richness of its decoration. Restoration efforts, dating from 2015, brought back its former splendor. Visit the church, altars, baptismal font, side chapels and the adjoining "Capela dos Ossos" (literally, "Chapel of Bones" in English), one of the most famous tourist attractions of Évora. Enjoy!
3. Sao Joao Evangelista Church (Evora)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 158 reviews
The Duke of Cadaval Palace Church, called Saint John the Evangelist, is considerd to be one of the most beautifull private churches in Portugal. The Saint John the Evangelist Church was founded in 1485. You enter by a Gothic porch of the fifteenth century along with a tombstone-shaped canopy, with the inscription of its foundation and with the coat of arms of its founder, D. Rodrigo de Melo, 1st Earl of Olivenza. The nave has Gothic ribs and is covered with abeautiful and excepcional collection of tiles, by the painter Antonio de Oliveira, dated 1711 and signed by the author. On the floor of the church can see the tombs of the Dukes of Cadaval and their ancestors. At the center of the church you can admire two of the many curiosities of this church, a crypt with the bones of the monks of the convent of Lóios and an Arabic cistern - the church was built on the ruins of an Arab castle, destroyed during the riots in favor of the Master Avis in 1384. The wall of nave has a tribune of the seventeenth century, beautiful example of architecture of this century, built by the 1st Duke of Cadaval, Dom Nuno Alvares Pereira de Melo.The spectacular main altar is in the Mannerist style, transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque. The images represent St. John the Evangelist. The walls are covered with polychrome tiles of the seventeenth century. The Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament has a golden altar of the eighteenth century with a renaissance of the sixteenth century tomb, belonging to Don Francisco de Melo, adviser to John III. The construction of this tomb is attributed to the French architect Nicholas Chanterene. On the other wall of this chapel is the tomb of Manuel de Melo, Governor of Tanger.
Reviewed By PAlaw - Philadelphia, United States
This small church is simply stunning with walls covered in 17th century blue and white tiles and a magnificent gold altar. Even more beautiful than most of the famous monasteries. It is off the beaten tourist track but easy to find near the Roman Temple. Don't miss it!
4. Cathedral of Evora (Se Catedral de Evora)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,119 reviews
Roman-Gothic 12th century cathedral. Guard a valuable treasure. Spectacular visit the cloisters of the cathedral and coverage, with magnificent views of the historic center. Is part of the monumental complex as a Unesco World Heritage
Reviewed By IndySig - Indianapolis, United States
We enjoyed viewing and walking around this old beauty. The cloister area was interesting with the spiral staircase and beautiful vaulted roof. Plus, the Madonna and the crypts were fascinating. The views from the top were great of the city and the cathedral was interesting. A great visit.
5. University of Evora
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 438 reviews
Reviewed By Sightsee538677 - Sibiu County, Romania
Among the tourist attractions of Evora, the building Colégio do Espírito Santo of University of Evora is a place to be seen. It takes only 1 hour to make a visit, and the building will fascinate you with the first steps you take in the inner yard surrounded by a cloister. The tiles that decorate classrooms are true works of art! Look on the ceilings after the image of the dove on a circle, symbol of the Holy Spirit and also of the University. Do not miss the cistern, the room where the Jesuits were accustomed to collecting the rain. Because I did a business visit, I can say that university staff is professional, very welcoming and communicating, real help for my purpose!
6. Igreja da Misericordia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By IndySig - Indianapolis, United States
You won’t find this in many tourist write ups, but I did read about it in a travel blog. I’m so glad I marked it on our map. This was a great little chapel to visit with beautiful tiles and paintings. Be sure to drop a coin in the maintenance box on your way out.
7. Centro Interpretativo dos Almendres
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,259 reviews
Reviewed By remcoh127 - Santa Barbara de Nexe, Portugal
The 8,000 year old, Cromeleque dos Almendres near Guadelupe (Évora, Alentejo) dates from the new Stone Age and Bronze Age. The double stone circle is made up of 95 egg-shaped megaliths and is located on top of a hill. There is a rolling landscape with cork oaks all around; the view is beautiful. The standing stones of the Almendres Cromlech are regarded as the finest example of Neolithic structures that remain on the Iberian Peninsula. Thankfully, the local government has not cordoned or fenced off the stones and visitors are free to wander around the entire site and even touch the stones. This relaxed approach extends to the management of the site, there is no entrance fee and the stones are open to visit at any time. You need a car to reach the stones from the visitors centre over a unpaved track of 4 km, walking is not advised because you share the track with cars. The atmosphere is peaceful and you experience a magical sentiment when think this was build 6.000 B.C.
8. Muralhas de Evora
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 492 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
While visiting Évora, in the Portuguese region of Alentejo, it will be impossible to miss the ancient Walls! Nearly untouched after so many centuries ... The "Walls of Évora" are remnants of the Roman years in "Lusitânia", dating partially from the 1st century ... They were later rebuilt by Visigoths and Moors, until Portuguese King Dom Afonso IV, in the 15th century, ordered their enlargement, with the construction of new ramparts, towers and gates, setting the limits of the medieval town. As you will notice, with so many additions, it has characteristics from many different military architectural styles. If time is not a constraint, you can even try to walk the whole perimeter of the awesome "Walls of Évora"! Enjoy!
