Evora
www.cm-evora.pt
Situated at a hundred kilometers to the East of Lisbon,
Evora is a very old citadel city which dominates the
neighborhoods.
Capital of the region of Alentejo, Evora is a place full of
history which shelters in its centre the very well
preserved vestiges of XV and XVI century. It is the most
eloquent testimony of the Portuguese cities of the golden
age.
Founded at the beginning of the Christian era, Evora
presents a pretty architectural palette due to its various
occupants: Romans, Visigoths, Moslems and Christians.
Since its origins, the city is an important crossroads.
Radiant from the heights of the city, the main lines high
ways cross three successive enclosures, respectively built
at the time of the Roman, medieval time and of Vauban.
All this constitutes the skeleton of Evora.
The typical districts of the city, bordered with gardens,
are composed of low houses, bleached with lime, tiled roofs
or in terraces. For the majority, they are decorated of
azulejos (decorated earthenware squares) and of old wrought
iron balconies.
Large architectural masterpieces date primarily from XVI
century, such as the ancient aqueduct of 1537 or the many
fountains which refresh the city. Evora is a city whose
architecture makes it possible to understand the Portuguese
colonial influence on the urban realization of Brazil. It
is for this reason that it was classified on the list of
the world heritage by UNESCO, in 1986.
The undulating area of Alentejo, in the South of Portugal,
allows a mosaic of landscapes' view. Oak groves, olive
groves, vines and fruit trees make the Mediterranean
vegetation of Alentejo, with a dry and hot climate. The
various villages emerge, at the turning of a small valley,
plugging in their whiteness. A stopover in the regional
capital is essential, whatever you do; just wandering in
the cities narrow streets or benefiting from the point of
views the city offers.
