The walled town of Evora is one of the architectural gems of Portugal,
situated in a picturesque landscape of olive groves, vineyards, wheat fields and
brilliant spring flowers. Evora lies in the region between Lisbon and the
Algarve has the capital of Alentejo.
Its attractions include a cathedral, a Roman temple and a ghoulish ossuary
chapel constructed from the bones and skulls of several thousand people. Among
the buildings in the city are the former palace of archbishops, now the regional
museum; the cathedral dating from 1186 AD of Romanesque design until
reconstructed in Gothic style in the 15th century; and an early 16th century
church of Moor and Gothic design. The city also has architectural remains from
Roman times. Evora became a Roman military outpost in 80 BC and a bishopric in
the 5th century AD. It was taken by the Moors in about 712 and ultimately
recovered by the Christians in 1166.