Evora
We checked out of our hotel, picked up Lucy, our local tour guide, and drove into Evora’s historical area through a gate in the old city walls, this wall probably dating back to the 17th century. In 1986, Evora was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Note: You can take a one–day escorted tour to Evora from Lisbon.)
Evora
Evora
Quite odd that our first sight in the historical area was the remains of a Roman temple, believed dedicated to the goddess Diana and part of the Roman forum that was here in 1 A.D.
Evora
Evora
Another view of the Roman temple.
Evora
Evora
Right next to the temple is a 15th–century monastery.
Evora
Evora
The monastery is now a luxurious pousada, though its rooms are former monk cells.
Evora
Evora
Near the temple and the monastery is the Rue de Vasco da Gama, on which street Vasco da Gama once lived.
Evora
Evora
Advertisement for a cafe on the Rue de Vasco da Gama.
Evora
Evora
A bit further along on our walk was the Se, the Cathedral of Evora. Its building was begun in 1186 and completed in 1250. It is Romanesque–Gothic, with two different towers.
Evora
Evora
Its portal with 14th–century statues of the Apostles.
Evora
Evora
Statues on the right of the portal.
Evora
Evora
Statues on the left of the portal.
Evora
Evora
Inside the Se.
Evora
Evora
Close–up of one of the chandeliers.
Evora
Evora
Inside the Se.
Evora
Evora
Inside the Se.
Evora
Evora
A chapel inside the Se.
Evora
Evora
One of the rose windows.
Evora
Evora
Another of the rose windows.
Evora
Evora
We were then given free time to walk down the Rua 5 de Outubro, Evora’s shopping street. That is Mary and Hal in the photo.
Evora
Evora
There were many souvenir stores on this street.
Evora
Evora
Handbags made from cork (Portugal is the foremost producer of cork in the world.) The bags were not cheap––about 100 euros.
Evora
Evora
Cork hats––about 30–40 euros.
Evora
Evora
Cork ice buckets.
Evora
Evora
Tiled fountain for sale.
Evora
Evora
Ceramics. I didn’t buy any ceramics here as I was waiting to do this when we got to the Algarve later in the day. However, this turned out to be not so good of an idea, so my advice is to buy your ceramics in Evora (one of the places recommended to buy them in) if you find something that you like.
Evora
Evora
Picture dictionary in a store window.
Evora
Evora
At the end of the Rua 5 de Outubro is the Praco do Giraldo, Evora’s main square.
Evora
Evora
Building at the other end of the square. The fountain is from 1571.
Evora
Evora
Close–up of the top of one of the towers of the building in the last photo.
Evora
Evora
View of the square from the other side of the fountain.
Evora
Evora
Moorish arches on one side of the square.
Evora
Evora
Downhill streets off the square.
Evora
Evora
I asked Lucy, our local tour guide, why there were Chinese lanterns in front of a store in Portugal. The answer: Because the store is a Chinese–owned store. Now why didn’t I think of that?
Evora
Evora
Fans and hats for sale at a store on the square.
Evora
Evora
Another downhill street off the square.
Evora
Evora
An alley off the square.
Evora
Evora
Interesting building.
Evora
Evora
Goods for sale in a store window.
Evora
Evora
Other items for sale.
Evora
Evora
An old door.
Evora
Evora
We next walked over to the Church of St. Francis, built in the 15th century.
Evora
Evora
The portal of the Church of St. Francis.
Evora
Evora
Inside the church.
Evora
Evora
Inside the church.
Evora
Evora
A church of tiles and gold.
Evora
Evora
Inside the church.
Evora
Evora
Inside the church.
Evora
Evora
Inside the church.
Evora
Evora
Unusual stained–glass windows.
Evora
Evora
More unusual stained–glass windows.
Evora
Evora
On the side of the Church of St. Francis is the Chapel of Bones, the Capela dos Ossos. Entrance to the chapel.
Evora
Evora
A chapel inside the chapel.
Evora
Evora
Top of the chapel.
Evora
Evora
An old manuscript on display.
Evora
Evora
Walking to the Chapel of Bones. For me, visiting this chapel left me with a feeling that I had been in communication with ghouls. If you don’t want to experience a similar feeling, then skip the next seven photos.
Evora
Evora
Inside the Chapel of Bones. The chapel was created by monks in the 17th century, for people to be inside it “to mediate on the transience of material things in the undeniable presense of death.” There are skulls and bones here from 5000 people, with one source saying they are the bones of monks and another saying the bones were disinterred from Evora churchyards. What is especially ghoulish about this chapel is how artistic it is.
Evora
Evora
Inside the Chapel of Bones.
Evora
Evora
Inside the Chapel of Bones.
Evora
Evora
Inside the Chapel of Bones. The skeleton is of a child.
Evora
Evora
Inside the Chapel of Bones.
Evora
Evora
Inside the Chapel of Bones.
Evora
Evora
Inside the Chapel of Bones.
Evora
Evora
Outside now in the fresh air, thank goodness. Another view of the Church of St. Francis.
Evora
Evora
We walked down the street for a rest break. Also here was the Palacio de Dom Manuel, built in the 16th century. Its architecture is Moresque–Gothic–Renaissance.
Evora
Evora
A building on the palace grounds.
Evora
Evora
Palace ruins.
Evora
Evora
More palace ruins.
Evora
Evora
A peacock on the palace grounds.
Evora
Evora
A wall covered with wisteria with birds roosting on the top.
Evora
Evora
I enlarged this photo to make sure that the birds were real.
Evora
Evora
Our local tour guide, Lucy, waving good–bye to us. We are now off on a long drive to the Algarve, the southern coast of Portugal. Photos of the rest of our trip today are on the next album.
