Investment Immigration to Portugal experience Immigrant Life: Speaking of the historic and cultural city of Portugal—Évora, one must truly respond with "long-admired." Located 70 miles east of the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, Évora is the central region of Alentejo. Its outstanding and glorious religious, historical, and architectural achievements led UNESCO to designate it a "World Heritage Site" in 1986. The "creation" of this region can be traced back to prehistoric times, with megaliths from 4,000 BC still standing firmly a few miles outside of Évora.
Around 80 BC, the Roman castle of "Liberalitas Julia" was also built here. Since then, Évora has been governed successively by the Visigoths, the Moors (from 715), and the Catholic monarchs (from 1166). Évora was the seat of the Portuguese royal court. Today, the walled city of Évora encompasses numerous religious buildings of various architectural styles, such as Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Renaissance, and Baroque, demonstrating a profound historical and cultural depth.
Évora Cathedral
Évora Cathedral can be described as a museum with exquisite cloisters and ecclesiastical collections. Since 1204, the cathedral has presented a marble exterior, and its sturdy structure makes it look more like a fortress, supported on both sides by a pair of spectacular asymmetrical bell towers. This cathedral is a fusion of Romanesque and Gothic styles, with the main entrance decorated with 14th-century sculptures of the apostles. The towering 18th-century altar and marble platform inside appear even more sublime and solemn. The inner walls are magnificent and dazzling, as if inlaid with priceless and rare artifacts distinct from gold, silver, and other precious metals. The frescoes on the dome showcase the awe-inspiring theological thoughts of Alentejo. Following the stairs to the roof of the cathedral, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire old city of Évora.
Chapel of Bones (Capela Dos Ossos)
As part of the Church of St. Francis (Igreja de São Francisco), the Chapel of Bones (Capela Dos Ossos) is the most mysterious attraction in Portugal, with 5,000 skulls and hundreds of thousands of broken bones attached to the 16th-century walls, all collected from nearby cemeteries. Inside the dim chapel, the two walls and eight pillars are entirely inlaid with human bones. The chapel is open to all visitors. The Chapel of Bones expresses the aphorism that "life is short," and only God and religion are eternal.
Roman Temple
When in Évora, the Roman Temple is a must-visit. Although there is no evidence to prove the connection between this monument and any Roman goddess, it has long been famous, becoming the most sought-after attraction in Évora and the most famous Roman-style building in Portugal. Built around the 2nd or 3rd century AD, the 14 remaining Corinthian columns stand firmly on a marble base, and the artistry of the architrave and stone architecture is truly breathtaking. On nights when the bright moon illuminates the sky, the temple is wrapped in soft and hazy light, appearing solemn and magnificent.
Évora Museum (Museu de Évora)
The Évora Museum is not stiff or cramped, but rather modern and trendy. The museum displays many furnishings and ornaments from the former residences of bishops and nobles. Interestingly, the museum was formerly a royal palace, and one can infer that the history of Évora before the 16th century is vividly reflected in the exquisite frescoes on the dome. The exhibits here tell stories, vivid and eloquent; the 16th-century Flemish polyptychs and radiant panel paintings are all excellent witnesses to history.
Évora is often considered a sleeping ancient city, sitting quietly while relying on its brilliant past, but in fact, its profound history is a carrier that bears countless splendid landscapes, traditional relics, and a tranquil temperament. Philosophers say that history is a play without an ending, and every ending is the beginning of a new plot in this play. History is not static, not obsolete, but enduring and vivid. When you arrive in Évora, you can get a true experience.
