Évora is one of Portugal’s most beautifully preserved medieval towns, located deep in the heart of Portugal, in the sizzling, arid plains of the southern province of Alentejo.  Historic Évora has been a cultural oasis for 2,000 years with an untouched provincial atmosphere, a fascinating whitewashed old town, museums, a cathedral, a chapel of bones, and a Roman temple. Due to its well-preserved old town centre, still partially enclosed by medieval walls, and a large number of monuments Évora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The Praça do Giraldo is the heart of Évora and is the main town’s focal point.

The square is lined by exquisite examples of 16th century Gothic architecture, while the simplistic Igreja de Santo Antao stands at the far end of the square.

The Praça do Giraldo is the place for visitors to come for a relaxing drink during the day or to sample fine food and wine once the sun sets.

The square is named for Giraldo the Fearless, the Christian knight who led a surprise attack and retook Évora from the Moors in 1165.  As thanks, Giraldo was made governor of the town, and he's be come the symbol of the city.  Évora's coat of arms is a knight on a house, usually walking over two beheaded Moors.

The arcades lining the Praça do Giraldo- lots of stores and restaurants.  We stopped by at a pastries shop for coffee and pastries before starting our trek of the town.

Charming streets of Évora

One of the attraction of Evora is the charm of the city by itself, and there is no better method to experience the city than by simply getting lost in the old quarter.

Evora is a maze of immaculately maintained cobbled streets and traditionally painted houses.

Along every street there is always something to discover and these minor sights that are never listed in any guidebooks & can only be discovered by wondering around the city.

This is the Ministry of Defense National

A Cannon gun on each side of the entrance is on display at the entrance.

Ancient medieval wall dating from the 14th-century.

Façade of the Évora Cathedral

The main façade of Évora Cathedral, built with rose granite, resembles that of Lisbon Cathedral. Its two massive towers, completed in the 16th century, flank a narthex (entrance gallery), which encloses the main portal.

The ogival main portal is a masterpiece of Portuguese Gothic sculpture. The marble columns are occupied by huge statues of the Apostles executed in the 1330. Such free-standing Gothic sculptures are rather rare in Portugal. They are usually associated with memorial graves.

Close look at the Apostles

Church of Saint Francis - Igreja de São Francisco 

One of the most famous landmarks in historic Évora is the Igreja de São Francisco (St Francis Church).  Located right in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage site that covers much of the Old Town.

The Igreja de São Francisco was constructed between 1480 and 1510 and is closely linked to historical events that marked the period of maritime expansion of Portugal.

The church is perhaps best known as the home of the mysterious and rather spooky chapel of bones.

The church was remodeled in the late fifteenth century and is one of the most impressive churches in Portugal.

The chapel was the work of a group of Franciscan monks who designed it as a practical solution to the problem of 42 monastic cemeteries taking up too much space in and around the expanding city. They simply moved all the remains from each of the sites and relocated them to one single, consecrated chapel within the church so that the land could be freed up for further use and development.

As for the bones, rather than hiding them away, they took the unusual decision of putting them out on display, cementing the remains of more than 5000 individuals from all walks of life, all over the chapel walls and ceiling.

The entrance of the church.

We wanted to go in to see the bones but the church was closed until 3:00Pm.  We did not have enough time to hang around so we were only able to see the outside.

More walking into narrow little street..

Street of Évora

More walk....

Évora Museum

Évora Musem stands where the Roman forum once sprawled. An excavated section of the forum is in the museum's courtyard, surrounded by a delighted mix of Roman finds, medieval statuary, and 16th century Portuguese, Flemish, Italian, and Spanish paintings.

Public Libary

This is the public library

Next to the Library is the Roman temple. 

Further down is the Palácio dos Duques de Cadaval - Palace of the Duke of Cadaval.

The palace belonged to a powerful noble family is one of the greatest historic sights of Évora.

Here we are crossing the street to admire the Roman temple

Next... Roman temple