Lisbon Estoril Coast Tourism Guide - Evora & Odivelas

Evora & the Alto Alentejo - Portugal History, Roman Temple

Evora is a historic Portuguese centre indeed, and the main centre of the Alto Northern Alentejo region. Evora remained largely untouched by the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake, and this combined with its decline as a centre after the Golden Age, meant that many of its ancient architecture remained preserved.

The old town Evora centre remains encased by walls (those walls to the north date from the 14th century, whilst those to the south date from the 17th century), and around the central square of Praca Do Giraldo sit some historic gems. Evora's cathedral/Se dates from 1186, but its a mish-mash of 14th and 16th century architecture. Visit the Museu De Evora next to the cathedral (once the archbishop's palace) to view numerous Roman and Manueline pieces of architecture. Exhibits of Flemish art are also on display here.

The Roman Temple in Evora (Templo Romano) is one of its biggest attractions, dating from the 2nd/early 3rd century. Amazingly preserved, it's one of Portugal's best examples of Roman architecture. Move to the Termas Romans within the town hall and view the Roman baths here as well as an open air swimming pool discovered fairly recently in 1994.

Other historic sights and museums around Evora include the Igreja De Sao Joao and convent, the Palacio Dos Duques De Cadaval and Salas de Exposicao do Palacio. View also the stunning azulejos tiles at Evora University o the north within the original Jesuit centre. More sights include the Jardim Publico gardens and the Aqueduto Da Agua De Prata designed by Francisco de Arruda, also famed for designing the Torre Do Belem tower on the Belem waterfront west of Lisbon centre.

Evora Tourist Information & Evora Festivals

Evora Tourist Information, Praca do Giraldo 73, Evora. Tel. 266 702 671. Pick up your Evora town maps and more here.

Branching out from Evora are numerous wine tours around the Alentejo. For information on these visit the Alentejo Wine Tours office in Evora on Prac Joaquim Anonio de Aguiar 20, Evora.

Evora holds a selection of festivalls annually, including the Feira de Sao Joao in late June and early July, Feira do Ramos on the Friday before Palm Sunday and Rota de Sabores Tradicionals from February to April.

Check the Evora Tourist Guide weblink and Visit Alentejo weblink right for more details.

Beja, Odivelas and the Baixo Alentejo

The central hub in the Baixo Alentejo area is laidback Beja. Another historic centre, Beja like Evora is a walled location, and it was the Romans that first cultivated the area.

Beja Tourist Information Centre sits on Rua Capitao Joao Francisco de Sousa, and the central hub of the town is Praca Da Republica. Historic sights include the Castelo which dates from the 13th century and was built on Roman foundations. Move to the Convento De Nossa Senhora Da Conceicao and Regional Museum adjacent. This museum has exhibits of Roman artefacts including bottles and lamps.

To learn more on the Portuguese Visigoth period visit the Museu Visigotico in Beja - the building it sits in was once a Visigothic church. Alongside the historic centre at Beja, you'll notice that both dams and reservoirs around the Alentejo region, constructed initially for reason of irrigation for local agriculture (some dam formations involved the burying of whole villages underwater), are now beginning to be promoted as inland beaches, for example in Odivelas, and indeed watersports such as jet skiing and water skiing are becoming popular.