Évora

ÉVORA: words are not enough to describe its beauty.

ÉVORA has been called the Museum City, and this name would be right if we meant that it is a living and breathing Museum full of verve and joy, but at the same time serenely aware of its own beauty. We could also call it a wonder, without intending any offence to those places which have taken on the mythical title of "Seven Wonders of the World". Évora is after all, considered a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Apprentice writers are often criticized for the liberty of using the word "indescribable" for anything either extremely beautiful or horrific. While we do not wish to fall into the same trap, we are sure that only someone who does not know Évora would consider the use of the word to be unjustified or an instance of sloppy usage.

You really need to live in the city, if only for a short while, to get to know its history and monuments and, together with its inhabitants, share the uncommon privilege of living your day - to - day life in such beautiful surroundings.

Whether your are staying at the beautiful Pousada dos Loios or the Municipal Camp-site, you will experience the same enthusiasm as you set out to discover the beauty of the city and surrounding area (with some of the best pre-historic remains in the Iberian Peninsula).

At the end, after you have built up your strength with local delicacies and sweets made in the convents, your greatest challenge will be to find words to describe your experience.

PLACES OF INTEREST:

ÉVORA - Praça do Giraldo - Arcades. Ornamental fountain (16th century) and Church of S. Antão (16th century). Cathedral de Sta. Maria (12th and 14th centuries). Claustros (Cloisters) (14th century). Chancel (Major Chancel Chapel) (18th century) and Museu de Arte Sacra. Museu (former Archbishop's Palace) (2nd and 3rd centuries B.C. ). Palácio (Palace) Cadaval and Church of São João Evangelista (Gothic, manuelino - mudéjar style). Paço dos Condes de Basto (Manor-house, in gothic-manuelino style). University (16th century), Baroque-Classical style - Cloister. Sala dos Actos (room where the important academic ceremonies usually took place) and Church of Espírito Santo (16th century), old Church and convent of Carmo (16th and 17th centuries), Mirante (Belvedere) da Casa Cordovil, Arcadas Quinhentistas (16th century arches). Church of Misericordia (16th century) - Baroque painting and tile panels from the year 1716, Casa Sor (manuelino) and Torre (Tower) de S. Manços (Roman-Arab remains). Church of Graça (16th century) Igreja Real (Royal Church) de S. Francisco (15th and 16th centuries) and Capela dos Ossos (Bone Chapel). Galeria das Damas do Palácio D. Manuel (16th century). Chapel of S. Brás (15th century). Church of Mercês (17th century) and Museu de Artes Decorativas (Ornamental Arts Museum). Church and Convent of Sta. Clara (15th and 16th centuries). Água da Prata Aqueduct (16th century). Convent of Calvário (16th century).

SURROUNDINGS: Convent of Espinheiro (15th century, important later repairs). Convent of Cartuxa (15th-18th century).

BOA FÉ - Church of Nossa Senhora da Boa Fé (17th century). Church of São Sebastião da Giesteira (16th and 17th centuries). Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Pedreira (18th century). Fonte Santa (Holy Fountain) (17th century).

GRAÇA DO DIVOR - Parish Church (16th and 17 centuries). Chapel of S Matias (16th century). Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Monserrate (16th century remains). Chapel of Santa Catarina (16th century). Solar (Manor-house) da Sempre Noiva (15th and 16th centuries).

GUADALUPE - Cromeleque dos Almendres" (important group of megalithic monuments).

N.ª SR.ª DE MACHEDE - Parish Church (17th century). Castelo Real (Royal Castle) de Valongo (14th and 15th centuries).

N.ª SR.ª DA TOUREGA (Valverde) - Convent and Church of Bom Jesus ( 16th century). Anta (Dolmen) Grande do Zambujeiro.

S. BENTO DO MATO - Parish Church (16th - 18th century). Pillory of Azaruja (18th century), Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Carmo (l8th century important collection of "ex-votos".

S. MIGUEL DE MACHEDE - Parish Church (16th - 18th century).

S. BRÁS DO REGEDOURO - Parish Church (16th - 18th century).

S. VICENTE DO PIGEIRO (Vendinha) - Parish Church (16th - 18th century).

TORRE DE COELHEIROS - Parish Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário (16th century, important later repairs). Solar dos Morgados Cogominhos.

HANDICRAFT - Earthenware, cork, horn, furs and leather. Handpainted rural style furniture. Cuisine - Sausages, cheeses, cheese cake, deserts made in local convents, "fedrisco" and pennroyal liqueur.

MUSEUMS - Museu de Évora (archaeology, architecture, sculpture, goldsmithery and ornamental arts). Museu do Brinquedo (Toy Museum) in the Parque Infantil (Children's Playground). Museu da Casa de Cadaval (in the Torre das Cinco Quinas where paintings, sculptures and tombs made of Flemish Bronze can still be seen. Museu de Arte Sacra (in the Cathedral). Museu de Artes Decorativas (in the Church of Mercês). Museu do Artesanato (Handicraft Museum) (temporarily closed).

ART GALLERIES - Palácio de D. Manuel. Tourism Office. Grupo "Pró-Evora". Museu de Évora. Inatel. Galeria "Teoartis".Galeria "Evora-Arte".

ACTIVITIES - Visit to the megalithic monuments. Gastronomy contests. Theatre Classical. Music Festival (July). Évora Classical Festival (July). European music symposium (August). Hunting, angling and water sports (in the Divor and Monte Novo reservois). Swimming pools. Tennis. Jeep circuits. Walking, bicycle riding, horse riding. Flying balloons. Go-kartracing.

FAIRS, FESTIVALS AND PILGRIMAGES - Fair of São João (June).

The contents in this page was taken from a paper given to me by the local TOURISM OFFICE.

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