South of Lisbon and the Targus River lies a region of great plains known as the Province of Alentejo. In the central part of this region is the historic city of Évora. With a population of 50,000 in 2006, Évora is a city that looks to the future, but has such a well-preserved urban center that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Évora has historical monuments dating back 2,000 years, and its well-preserved monuments represent many different historical periods. Much of the old city walls are still intact, and within these old city walls there are no less than 4000 different monuments of interest, including gates, palaces, churches, squares and more, representing styles from the Roman until the Visigoth and the Moorish onwards.

Perched atop a hill, Évora’s Gothic cathedral dates back to the 13th century with additions in the 14th century. The Gothic church of Sao Joao Evangelista is close to the Cathedral and is an impressive building, founded in 1485. Be sure to see the beautiful hand-painted tiles in the nave.

Another wonderful monument in Évora is the Vasco da Gama Palace. Its cloister is in the Manueline style and the wall paintings are clearly Renaissance. Another must-see is the University of Évora, which began as a Jesuit college in 1551. The Jesuits were expelled in the 18th century, but some beautiful monuments remain, including the 17th-18th century cloister and the 18th-century Mannerist church. XVI.

Dominating the city center is Évora’s most famous monument, the ruins of the Roman Temple of Évora dating back to the 1st century. Illustrating the longevity of Évora’s monuments, there are fourteen granite columns that still stand after 2,000 years. .

All in all, Évora stands as the best intact example of what was the “Golden Age” of Portugal.