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.

Evora