Surmontée d'une imposante cathédrale, Évora s'étend sur une colline en pente douce dominant l'immense plaine de l'Alentejo. Elle protège son centre historique d'une vaste muraille et représente un précieux héritage culturel classé au patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO. La ville, avec ses ruelles étroites d'origine mauresque contrastant avec ses places baignées de lumière, possède deux millénaires d'histoire. Conquise en 59 av. J.-C. par les Romains, ceux-ci la baptisèrent « Liberalitas Julia ». À cette époque, Évora acquit une grande importance, comme en témoignent les vestiges de cette époque : les ruines d'un beau temple datant de la fin du IIe siècle, divers pans de la muraille et la porte plus récemment appelée Dona Isabel, ainsi que les vestiges de thermes situés sous l'actuel bâtiment du Conseil municipal. Il ne reste que peu de vestiges de l'époque wisigothe (Ve-VIIIe siècles). Vient ensuite l'époque mauresque, qui débuta avec la conquête de la ville par Tarique. Ce développement perdura jusqu'à la Reconquête chrétienne au XIIe siècle. Yeborah, comme on l'appelait alors, avait déjà subi une influence mauresque indélébile, particulièrement visible dans le quartier de la Mouraria. Après la Reconquête, outre les remparts intérieurs et extérieurs, le développement urbain s'étendit au-delà des remparts. La ville accueillit la cour de plusieurs rois portugais des première et deuxième dynasties. Durant cette période, elle se dota de nombreux palais et monuments, notamment sous les règnes de Jean II et de Manuel (XVe et XVIe siècles). Promenez-vous dans ses rues et imprégnez-vous de l'âme secrète qu'une diversité d'influences culturelles a laissée à cette ville du monde. On y trouve également d'excellents restaurants et bars, des esplanades, des boutiques d'art et d'artisanat, ainsi que la jeunesse de ses étudiants universitaires. Tout cela contribue à une dynamique du présent profondément ancrée dans le passé.

Le temple romain, vieux de plus de 2 000 ans, est l'ex-libris d'Évora et l'un des vestiges historiques les plus importants du pays. Le temple romain d'Évora a été construit au Ier siècle, à l'époque de César Auguste. Son histoire est riche, témoignant de nombreuses transformations et de différentes utilisations au fil des siècles. Il fut pratiquement détruit lors de l'occupation de la péninsule ibérique par les Barbares au Ve siècle et servit de coffre-fort et de boucherie au château d'Évora au XIVe siècle. Sa conception romaine d'origine n'a été retrouvée qu'au XIXe siècle, lors de l'une des premières interventions archéologiques au Portugal. Il témoigne du forum romain de la ville d'Évora, consacré au culte impérial, ce qui confirme une tradition du XVIIe siècle selon laquelle le temple aurait été consacré à la déesse Diane. C'est pourquoi il a longtemps été identifié comme le temple de Diane. Des fouilles récentes ont montré qu'il était entouré d'un portique et d'un miroir d'eau.

The São Francisco Church is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and grandest churches in Portugal and, of course, the city of Évora. It is a church of Gothic-Manueline architecture and was built between 1480 and 1510. The decoration was by royal painters Francisco Henriques, Jorge Afonso and Garcia Fernandes. The Church of St. Francis is deeply linked to the history of Portugal, more precisely to the events that marked the period of maritime expansion. This connection can be seen in the symbols of the magnificent nave with the vault: the cross of the Order of Christ and the emblems of the founding kings, King John II and King Manuel I.

The See! In the distance you can see its silhouetted silhouette in the urban landscape. Better known as Évora Cathedral or Évora Cathedral, its real name is Sé Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption. It is the largest medieval cathedral in Portugal and is unparalleled in the rest of the country. The Évora Cathedral “protects” the city from the highest, the place chosen for other iconic buildings in Évora such as the Roman Temple of Évora (Temple of Diana), the Évora Museum or the Eugénio de Almeida Center for Art and Culture. . But let's go to the cathedral. To get there, you just have to go up Rua 5 de Outubro, one of the best to buy Alentejo handicrafts. The Évora Cathedral, whose construction was begun in 1186 and consecrated in 1204, was completed only in 1250. It is a fascinating and imposing monument. All granite is marked by the transition from Romanesque to Gothic. It was improved during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, being from that time the high choir, the pulpit, the baptistery and the arch of the Chapel of Our Lady of Piety or Chapel of Esporão (1529). This chapel of the Évora Cathedral is an unusual testimony of plateresque hybrid architecture. In the eighteenth century, the Cathedral became richer with the construction of the chancel, sponsored by D. João V. Here, the marbles from Estremoz assume particular importance in the surprising combination with the rigidity of the Roman-Gothic lines. One can also contemplate in that chapel a beautiful Crucifix, called Father of Christ, which is above the painting of Our Lady of the Assumption; allegorical statues of busts of St. Peter and St. Paul; and a spectacular pipe organ from the Renaissance period. Two towers of the medieval period can be seen on either side of the Évora's facade. The tower on the south side is the bell tower, the one whose bells ring in the time of the city. On either side of its portal are spectacular sculptures of 14th century Apostles by Mestre Pêro. Outside the Évora Cathedral, however, the juniper is the most spectacular architectural element. The lantern cruising tower of D. Dinis's reign, crowned by a stone scale needle, is in fact the ex-libris of this monument. The grandeur of the Sé de Évora can also be seen in the three great naves inside. In the highest of the three, the central nave, is the altar of Our Lady of the Angel (or Nossa Senhora do Ó). All in baroque carvings, with gothic images of the Virgin Mary in marble and the Angel Gabriel. Also on the central aisle, you can admire the pulpit and a beautiful pipe organ of the Renaissance period. The ancient Chapels of St. Lawrence and the Holy Christ and the Chapels of the Relics and the Blessed Sacrament, decorated with gilded carvings, open in transept. Here, on the northern top, is the spectacular Renaissance portal of the Morgados do Esporão Chapel. Near the entrance, on the left nave, opens the baptistery, enclosed by beautiful Renaissance railings. In the fourteenth-century cloisters you can see Evangelist statues in every corner. The cloister of the Évora Cathedral, a beautiful Gothic testimony, is enhanced by the funeral chapel of its founder, Bishop D. Pedro. His gothic tomb is still there. Recently, the tombs of the late 20th-century Archbishops of Évora have also been placed in the cloister. The choir is from the Manueline period. It has a valuable 16th century oak wood chair, with carved Flemish designs depicting mythological, naturalistic and rural scenes. The Sé Catedral de Évora also includes a Museum of Sacred Art with a valuable collection in the areas of parliamentary, painting, sculpture and jewelery. Among the various pieces kept here are a 13th Century Virgin (Our Lady of Paradise), the Reliquary Cross of the Holy Wood (14th century), the Staff of Cardinal D. Henrique and the Archbishops Gallery. This museum is housed in the former Colégio dos Moços do Coro da Sé, a building adjacent to the cathedral. There are monuments that by themselves steal every word. The Évora Cathedral is one such monument. This true rarity is gradually found high above the city in all its glory. Be sure to visit and climb to the terrace for the best view of Évora by far.

When we talk about Évora, many people come to the Chapel of Bones. Either because it's scary or simply because it's a monument like any other in the city. All are spectacular, if not for Évora World Heritage, but some… are even more fascinating than others! The Chapel of Bones is one of Évora's best known monuments, we can say perhaps its ex-libris, and is located at Praça 1º de Maio. It is part of the no less well known Church of San Francisco. One of the experiences in Alentejo not to be missed! The Chapel of Bones was built in the seventeenth century on the initiative of three Franciscan friars whose purpose was to convey the message of the transience and fragility of human life. This message is clearly conveyed to visitors right at the entrance through the warning: "We bones that are here, for your waiting." It shows, in the background, the macabre taste of the Baroque man for necrophilia. This chapel of skulls and bones was built on the site of the brothers' dormitory and reflection room. It is formed by three naves of about 18,70m of length and 11m of width. Natural light strategically enters these ships through only three small cracks on the left. It is a rather dark place! Be brave… The walls of the Chapel of Bones and its eight pillars are lined with carefully arranged human bones and skulls, joined by brown cement. The vaults are brick plastered white and painted with motifs that symbolize or allude to death. In addition to the bones, the Bones Chapel is also decorated with religious statues and a Renaissance and Baroque painting.  Be an explorer! We help you decide what to do in Alentejo. The arches are decorated with rows of skulls, cornices and white ships. It is estimated that there are about 5000 human skulls found there, among countless bones, from the graves of the convent church and other churches and cemeteries in the city. “We bones that are here, for your hope” In the sixteenth century there were close to forty-two monastic cemeteries in the city, which occupied too much space. By way of solution, those monks extracted the bones from the floor and used them to build and “decorate” this chapel. The Bones Chapel is a monument of penitential architecture. Dedicated to the Lord of the Steps, known image of the eborenses as Lord Jesus of the House of Bones. This image vividly and impressively represents Christ's suffering as he walked to Calvary with the cross on his back. Learn more about our guided tour in Évora. Discover all about the Chapel of Bones with our local guide. Yes, it is true that a chapel full of bones can be sinister. One might even think that such a place is impossible to exist. But there is! And… visiting Évora without visiting the Bones Chapel makes no sense. This is an otherworldly experience that is worth living and sharing with others. We are waiting for you!

The “Arraiolos Rug” linked to our county, by its origin in the village that gave it the name, known worldwide, has a significant cultural and socio-economic interest. Its manufacture in Arraiolos in a period prior to the 15th century attests to the importance of these true works of art, whose tradition we want to keep alive, and the oldest reference to the Arraiolos Rugs dates back to the late 16th century, as we can confirm in the Municipal Inventory (Dr. Jorge Fonseca), with indication of the existence of ... ”a new carpet of the revaluated in two millers…” - document dated 1598. It is also certain that the archaeological excavations carried out in the Praça do Meguesio at the beginning of the 21st century, under the responsibility of Archaeologist Ana Gonçalves, without prejudice to a more detailed investigation, induce the beginning of the production of carpets in Arraiolos to a pre-century phase. XV. Therefore, the Municipality of Arraiolos reiterates the need to preserve, safeguard, certify and streamline this craft activity and identity element of our history, with the execution of the municipal initiative project of the Interpretive Center of the Tapete de Arraiolos, but also with the fulfillment by competent authorities, of the implementation of the certification process of the Arraiolos Rug in accordance with the legislation unanimously approved by the Assembly of the Republic.

Arraiolos Castle is considered one of the most beautiful and emblematic in the world by Port.com magazine. Arraiolos has one more reason to be proud of, this time with the heritage that once defended the borders of its territory and which today is an unmissable tourist attraction. From the numerous fortifications that have been built since the Middle Ages in the Portuguese territory, from north to south of the country, the magazine chose 12 castles, considered as the most beautiful in Portugal and emblematic of the world. Arraiolos Castle, built in 1305, is one of the few in the world with circular architecture, the interior building is a little degraded by time, although the ellipsoidal walls and its vast lawn are in excellent condition. Located on the top of São Pedro hill, it offers a 360 degree view of the Alentejo plain.

Belonging to the Brotherhood of the Holy House of Mercy of Arraiolos, established in 1524, this temple, exemplary of the Baroque style, was founded at the end of that same century XVI. Located in the historical center of the village, it displays inside, lining its walls, an interesting set of tile panels of the century XVIII. Construction era: 16th century