Thousands of tourists from all over the world come to see the sights in Evora (Portugal). The center of this small town, formed under the influence of many peoples, since 1986 is a UNESCO World Cultural Monument and an open-air museum showing historical buildings dating back to antiquity.
Location and history of the city
Evora is the capital of the province of Altu Alentejo in Portugal and is located in the southeastern part of the country, 109 km from Lisbon at an altitude of 245 m above sea level. It is home to 42 thousand people. Many buildings have survived here since the time of the Romans, then the Moors - more than 30 churches and monasteries, palaces in the Moorish style, belonging to the Portuguese kings in the Middle Ages.
Founded cities were representatives of the Lusitanian tribe, who called their settlement Ebor. In the 80s. BC e. Roman troops came here, who became masters for 7 years, led by commander Quintus Sertorius. Then the city was conquered by Caesar, who renamed it Liberalitas Julia.
In 8 tbsp. Moorish tribes entered here and began to call the city Jabur. In 1128, the Knights Templar came to the settlement, who were able to recapture it in the 1160s. The most prosperous period in Ebor is considered to be 15-16 centuries, when a university was built here, which accompanied its gradual development and enrichment. In the 17th century the city was conquered by the Spaniards, which affected it for the worse.
Main Attractions in Evora (Portugal):
- Piazza Largo das Portas de Moura, in the middle of which there is a beautiful fountain in the Renaissance style;
- Cathedral of Xie, built in the 12th century. in gothic style;
- the ancient Temple of Diana (2 tbsp.) - the only representative of the preserved structures of the Roman period;
- Museum of Church Art;
- Museum of Local Lore, located in the Episcopal Palace;
- the church of São Francisco, where there is a chapel of human bones and skulls.
The main part of the city center is occupied by buildings of the 16-17th centuries, including beautiful courtyards. Between them are narrow streets, labyrinths, paved with cobblestones. Many houses are whitewashed and decorated with Moorish arches.
Ancient monuments
The history of the city of Evora in Portugal has more than 2 thousand years, which can be judged by the standing megaliths in the nearest prehistoric settlement, near the city of Alto di San Bento. Scientists attribute them to the Mesolithic and Neolithic era, in total there are more than 130 dolmens.
The most famous cromlech Almendrish, located 12 km from the town of Evora, consisting of hundreds of granite stones, decorated with drawings and symbols. They are located in an oval and allegedly used for religious purposes.
Another monument, which is evidence of the settlement of Evora from 3 thousand BC. e., - the castle of Giraldo. It is a fortress of the Bronze or Eneolithic era, it also contains traces of the medieval period.
Main square
The central square of Evora (Portugal) is named after Giraldo (Praça do Giraldo). In the iconography of the city, this is one of the country's legendary heroes - Herald (Giraldo) Fearless, who became famous in the era of the Reconquista. Due to the disgrace of the Portuguese king, Giraldo came to Evora, where the Arab caliphate was in power. He entered the service, and then became the organizer of the rebellion against the Moors, as a result of which the Arabs were expelled from the city.
On the coat of arms of the city, he is depicted as a rider on a horse carrying a bloodied sword. Below are the severed heads of the Moors (male and female). In the Middle Ages, Giraldo Square carried out public executions and incineration of citizens sentenced by the Inquisition.
Now the square is the center of the city, where you can sit in a cafe and admire the surrounding ancient architecture of buildings and a fountain. Among the ancient arcades there are many shops with souvenirs.
Roman temple
One of the most ancient attractions of Evora in Portugal (photo below) is the Roman temple of Diana, which is not related to the mythical goddess of hunting. It is located near the Xie Cathedral. The temple was erected in 1 tbsp. n e. on the main square of the city on the orders of the emperor Augustus (Augustus), who even during the reign began to be considered a deity.
In the 5th century German troops attacked the city, partially destroying the ancient structure. During the Middle Ages, the ruins were included in the Evora fortress and they were used as a meat pavilion or slaughterhouse.
In 1871, the restoration of the temple of Diana was started, during which the buildings of the Middle Ages were removed, and only the Roman ones were left. The base of the structure has an area of 375 square meters. m, on top of which there are 14 Corinthian columns of granite, crowned with marble capitals, - that's all that remains of the ancient Temple of Diana. Earlier on the south end of it was a staircase that collapsed.
Xie Cathedral
One of the main attractions in Evora (Portugal) is the Catholic Church of Ce. It was built over 64 years (1186-1204) on the site where the Moorish mosque previously stood. The cathedral was built in the Romanesque style, but 100 years later it was rebuilt, giving it Gothic features. A few centuries later, a chapel, a gallery and the main Baroque chapel were added to it.
Ancient legends tell that in 1497 it was here that the famous Portuguese navigator Vasco de Gama received a blessing, going to the lands of the East with a long expedition.
The main decoration of the cathedral is 2 towers with domes and spiers that frame the stone facade. One of the spiers is lined with beautiful tiles. The interior consists of a nave and 2 walkways. The rich altar was erected from white, black and pink marble in the 18th century.
The spiritual center of the cathedral is a statue of the pregnant Virgin Mary, who is known as the Queen of Heavenly Mothers. For several centuries, young women come here to pray for their children, turning to the Mother of God. Nearby is a statue of the Archangel Gabriel carrying the good news. Now the building houses the Museum of Religious Art.
Church of São Francisco and the Chapel of Bones
The building was built in 1480-1510. in the style of Gothic Manuelino. The project was made by M. Lorenzo and P. di Trillo, and the artists Fr. Henriques, J. Afonso and G. Fernandez were able to decorate it, illustrating the historical events that took place during the years of the country's naval rule.
The most famous and popular attraction in Evora (Portugal) is the Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos), located next to the Cathedral of St. Francis. It was built during the Habsburg dynasty in the 17th century. as a metaphor reflecting the transience of human life, as directed by 3 Franciscan monks.
All the walls of the chapel and 8 columns consist of human skulls and bones, the number of which is estimated at 5 thousand. They were collected in the medieval cemeteries of Evora (Portugal). In the chapel, the interior of the walls is decorated with 2 full skeletons in limbo, according to legend, they remained from a man and a child, damned by a jealous wife.
The vaults are painted with picturesque drawings based on death and are accompanied by original phrases on the same topic.
Palaces of Evora
On the territory of the city there are many beautiful palaces:
- Palace of the Duke of Cadaval (Palacio dos Duques de Cadaval) - built in 1390 and donated to the governor of the city of Martim Afonso de Melo, and then passed into the possession of the kings of Portugal, the building is separated from the monastery of Loyus and the church, facing the Roman temple of Diana and decorated with battlements ; the facade was restored in the 17th century .; located in the historic center of Evora.
- Palace of King Manuel (Royal Palace) - is located in the middle of the City Park, at first it entered the territory of the monastery of San Francisco, and in the 14th century. was rebuilt for the king. Architecture combines the features of Gothic, Neo-Moorish style and Renaissance; only a beautiful gallery has been preserved from it, where space for exhibitions is now arranged.
- Convento dos Lóios Palace in Evora (Portugal, photo can be seen below) was built in 15 st. in the style of manuelino. Its striking sights are the inner walls, covered with white and blue tiles of the 17-18th century, and the chapel, decorated with complex patterns.
University of Evora
The educational institution was founded in 1551 by the Jesuits at the peak of the heyday of the city. Portuguese kings came here more than once, artists, a poet and painters studied here. In 1756, when the value of Evora decreased, and the Jesuits were expelled from the country, the university was closed.
In 1832, after the end of the civil wars and the overthrow of King Miguel, the institution gained a new life. However, the first students only appeared here in 1973. The old building is decorated with paintings inside, and classrooms have benches and tables on which students sat several centuries ago.
According to reviews of Evora (Portugal), the town delights tourists with its picturesque ancient streets, ancient buildings and numerous temples, churches, museums and theaters.