Évora Tour
Évora is the capital of Alentejo and a World Heritage Site since 1986. On our tour we’ll learn about the History of Évora, visit several monuments and some Museums. Our Historian studied at the University of Évora and will share some of his secrets, stories of archaeological excavations, hidden treasures and places outside the tourist circuit.
Évora has three sets of walls, the 17th century Bulwark fortification is the last one and the oldest was built by the Romans. We’ll start our tour at “Capela dos Ossos”, an example of real estate pressure in Medieval times. This Chapel is part of “Convento de S Francisco” that became the King's Palace at the time of the maritime exploration in the 16th century. As we go up to the city center we also go back in time. We walk through a Medieval town made up of mazy streets built by the Islamic on top of the roman city. We’ll arrive at “Praça do Giraldo” dedicated to the mercenary who conquered the city from the Muslims in 1165. Terrible executions by the Inquisition were held here. We enter the old city through the Roman walls built 1500 years ago during the fall of the Western Roman Empire. We can visit archaeological excavations of the Roman Baths and Villas. In Évora we also have a Jewish quarter where we can see some Mezuzah. In the city center we’ll see a Medieval shop that may have belonged to a Jewish family. In the center of the Roman city we’ll find a Temple 2000 years old. Next to it we have the Palace of the Inquisition which hides a terrible dragon. On the other side of the square we have the medieval Castle now hidden inside Palaces and Convents. He can visit the Medieval Cathedral dedicated to fertility and Mary. Here we can go up to the roof and contemplate the old town. In the distance we can see old Convents, the Aqueduct and Sacred Hills.
At the end of the walk we can visit “Rua do Comércio” where we have several stores selling traditional products. and talk about Olive Oil and Cork.
