Evora Vacations, Evora Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

Evora Vacation Guide

'Evora is the finest example of a city of the golden age of Portugal after the destruction of Lisbon by the earthquake of 1755' Inscription criteria on the List of the UNESCO World Heritage (1985)

Évora (latitude 38.6o, longitude 7o54´, altitude 30 m) is situated in Alentejo (south of Portugal). It is the chief city of the district and capital of Alto Alentejo Province

The Alentejo Province is a region of wide plains to the south of the Tagus River (Rio Tejo). In the heart of this region, at a distance of 130 km from Lisbon, lies the city of Évora. Due to part of the town which being enclosed by ancient walls preserved in its original state and, to its monuments dating from various historical periods, It was known by the Romans as Liberalitas Julia, and vestiges from this period (walls and rooms) and the monumental imperial temple (Diana's temple), still remain.

The university was founded by the Company of Jesus in 1551, and it was here that great European Masters such as Clenardo and Molina passed on their knowledge. In the 18th century, the Jesuits, which had spread intellectual and religious enlightenment since the 16th century, was expelled, the university was closed and Evora went into decline. The university was reopened in 1973.

Today, the beautiful historical centre has about 4000 buildings and a surface of 105 ha.