City walk Évora

A walk from the dutch guide: Zuid-Portugal – 28 wandelingen door de Alentejo (South Portugal - 28 walks through the Alentejo). Unfortunately without GPS track, hence my version.

Viewing points

1. Giraldo nicknamed "Sem Pavor" (fearless): robber knight and adventurer who in the service of Portugal's first king Afonso Henriques conquered many cities and castles from the Moors in the 12th century, including Évora (1165). The church on the square (Santo Antão) from 1563 is an example of the "estilo chão". A beautiful Roman triumphal arch was renovated before construction. The fountain is from the 16th century.

2. Center of religious power at the time of the Inquisition. In front of you is the Sé, the cathedral consecrated in 1283 (completed in the 14th century). To the left of it the former episcopal palace (now Museu de Évora). Opposite the museum the Roman temple (2nd or 3rd century). To the left of it the former palace of the Inquisition (now university). To the left of it is the Paço de Vasco da Gama (Rua Vasco da Gama), probably once inhabited by the famous navigator and later used by the Inquisition.

3. Immediately to your left is the Igreja do Espírito Santo. The church is a fine example of the "estilo chão". To the right of this is the Colégio do Espírito Santo, the former Jesuit university, founded in 1559 and closed again in 1759 by Pombal, the enlightened despotic prime minister of King José I. University again since 1973.

4. Igreja / Convento da Graça. Church and former Augustinian monastery (16th century). It is an example of renaissance architecture.

5. In this park you will find the Paço de D. Manuel, remnant of the royal palace (15th & 16th century). Here Vasco da Gama was commissioned for his trip to India.

6. On the right is Igreja de São Francisco (15th century), with the bizarre Capela dos Ossos, chapel whose inner walls are lined with (human) bones (around 1600).

7. One of the streets through the medieval Jewish quarter.

8. Before visit Malagueira, interesting residential area (public housing) of Siza Vieira (built between 1977 and 1992) here to the left. Walk through city wall. Cross the ring road. RD Avenida São Sebastião. First street right (Avenida dos Salesianos). Follow the road to the bridge. Neighborhood is on the right.