Historical Evora City Tour - From Lisbon

About this boat trip in Evora

• Live guideEnglish, Spanish, Portuguese, French
• Duration8 hours
• CancellationTours Cancellation Policy - Portugal
• Pick-upHotel pick-up available
• Activity levelEasy

Timeline: how the party goes

1. Praca do Giraldo

   Praça do Giraldo is the central, historic main square of Évora, Portugal, known for its vibrant atmosphere, neoclassical architecture, and a 16th-century fountain. It is a popular spot for locals and tourists to relax and is named after Geraldo the Fearless, who conquered Évora in 1167. The square is a key part of Évora's historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and serves as a starting point for exploring other city attractions

2. Temple of Diana.

   The Temple of Diana in Evora is actually a well-preserved Roman Temple, built around the 1st century AD in honor of Emperor Augustus, not the goddess Diana. It is one of the most significant Roman ruins in Portugal and a major landmark in Évora, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Despite its name, which comes from a 17th-century legend, the temple was repurposed for centuries as a church, a mosque, and most notably, a butcher shop from the 13th to the 19th century, which helped protect the structure.

3. Evora cathedral (The Castle).

   The Cathedral of Évora, or Sé de Évora, is the largest medieval cathedral in Portugal, showcasing a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles with later Baroque additions. Located in the city of Évora, Portugal, it stands on the highest point of the city and is the seat of the Archdiocese of Évora. Visitors can explore the cathedral, climb its roof for panoramic views, visit the cloisters and religious art museum, and admire architectural and artistic features from different periods.

   
   

4. Capela dos Ossos.

   The Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones) in Évora, Portugal, is a small, eerie interior chapel situated near the entrance of the Church of St. Francis. Built by Franciscan monks in the 16th century, it is famously decorated with the bones of an estimated 5,000 human skeletons. The chapel was created to address the problem of overcrowded cemeteries and to serve as a powerful spiritual meditation on the transience of life.

   In the 16th century, the city of Évora had over 40 cemeteries, and space for new burials was scarce. Franciscan monks exhumed the remains from these overcrowded cemeteries and relocated them to the newly built chapel.

5. Igreja de Sao Francisco.

   The Igreja de São Francisco (Church of Saint Francis) in Évora, Portugal, is a unique church complex primarily known for housing the macabre but compelling Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones). The church itself is a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture, with Manueline and Mudéjar influences, and it also features a museum and a collection of nativity scenes. The church was built in the late 15th century, though work continued into the 16th century, and it was a royal church.

   The design reflects a fusion of styles. It has a Gothic structure but also incorporates elements from the ornate Manueline style (Portuguese late Gothic) and Mudéjar (Moorish-influenced) art. While impressive in its own right, the church is often overshadowed by the fame of its Chapel of Bones.

What’s included

Good to know before you go

• Dress accordingly.
• No wheelchair accessible.

Frequently asked questions