Évora and the Alentejo
This Tour goes east towards the heart of Alentejo, the largest and less populated Portuguese region. These are the great plains where the largest agriculture farms produce olive oil, wine, cork and several other products. Évora is the capital of Alentejo and an historic town in Portugal where the monarchy spent some time, the university is the second oldest in the country and the whole town is classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. The best way to visit Évora is walking around the old town starting in the main Giraldo Square. Visit Santo Antão Church right in the square, then head up towards the 13th century Cathedral, the incredible Roman Temple of Diana from the 1st century A.D. At some point in the stroll you will visit the spooky Bones Chapel. When we leave town we’ll visit the unique Almendres Cromelech, one of the most important megalithic structures in Europe. If the schedule permits we’ll pass by Arraiolos or Montemor-o-Novo for a taste of a smaller picturesque town in Alentejo.
This tour is flexible and will be planned according to your interests.
The attractions that will amaze you…
Évora old town
Évora was classified as World Heritage by UNESCO in 1986. It is one of Portugal’s oldest towns dating back to the Roman period. The University is the second oldest in the country. In the Discoveries golden era Évora was often chosen by the kings for long periods. The Manuelin Palace still stands. Today it is a vibrant city that knows how to combine the old and the new. The food in Alentejo is wonderful and you should try it in Évora.
Cathedral and Diana Temple
The 13th century Cathedral in Évora is unique with its two different towers. You can climb to the roof for amazing views of the whole town and the never ending plains that seem to mingle with the infinite sky. It is the highest spot in town. Next to the Cathedral you’ll be amazed by how well the two millenia Roman Temple still stands with its columns.
Bones Chapel
São Francisco Church is a gothic-manuelin church from the late 15th century, built in the bright period of Discoveries. Inside you’ll find the rare Bones Chapel built in the 16th and 17th century with the walls being made of human bones and skulls. It was the idea of three franciscan monks to provide a reflection of how ephemeral is life.
Almendres Cromelech
This is one of the biggest and most important megalithic monuments in the world. It dates back 7000 years and holds still 95 menirs standind. Some feature some carved images which are somewhat difficult to identify though. The monument is associated to the period in which the inhabitants of this region became more sedentary and built it to potentiate agriculture and fertile land.
Montemor-o-Novo / Arraiolos
If we have we enough time remaining we’ll pass by in either of these towns to take a glimpse at another picturesque smaller town deep in Alentejo and witness the simple life, architecture and landscape of this amazing region and people.
Take a look at the itinerary of this Tour is the map.
Explore amazing Portugal !!!