Medieval Évora A Day Trip to an UNESCO Site

Medieval Évora A Day Trip to an UNESCO Site

Alentejo is an area of Portugal where time stops or at least slows down a lot... the perfect place for a stroll and to travel in time, allowing yourselves to be taken to far way times of knights and damsels in distress... but also to enjoy Portugal wonders and many beautiful monuments and again, a lot of the tour is your guide - we aim to provide you with insightful tips, facts and legends known to just a few!
In this case, and because we never rush you on our tours, the visit to the cork factory and the visit to the village of Monsaraz, has to be one or the other, depending on your preferences and our time!! But still... look forward to seeing you soon!

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Templo Romano de Evora (Templo de Diana), Largo do Conde de Vila Flor Dentro da Muralha, Evora 7000-804 Portugal

Évora Highlights – The well preserved old town has been declared
a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 and is still partially
enclosed with medieval walls. Several Monuments, Churches and
Squares can be visited during the tour:
Diana's Roman Temple - Évora preserves the remains of an
emblematic monument of the Roman era built in the first century
A.D. in honor of Augustus. Certainly the most emblematic of this
culture throughout Portugal and the undisputed ex-libris of the
town. The Roman Temple is situated at the highest point of the
town – fantastic view over the surrounding area.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Cathedral of Evora (Se Catedral de Evora), Largo do Marques de Marialva, Evora 7000-809 Portugal

The Cathedral of Évora - One of the oldest and most important
local monuments, inspired in the Cathedral of Lisbon - a
Romanesque-Gothic granite building (1283 to 1308) The main
altar is a Baroque style of the 18th century. You can climb up to the
roof of the largest Portuguese cathedral and enjoy a unique view
of the town and countryside. Back those days, definitely giving a
clear sign that Christians were back in charge in this town.

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Capela dos Ossos, Praca 10 de Maio 4, Evora 7000-650 Portugal

The Church of S. Francisco and the Chapel of Bones – The unique
nave of this church, which is dominated by a huge stone vault, is a
masterpiece of Portuguese Gothic.
Dating from the 16th century, the chapel is decorated with bones
from the many cemeteries that used to surround the city, which were lifted to allow for more construction area - the
walls consist of human skulls and bones. A place where the monks
used to meditate on death... also to show us how frail we are!

We will continue by visiting some local Artisans – Looking for unique souvenirs? The best handicraft shops to pick from in Évora’s streets. Praça do Giraldo – this square was a place of festivities, processions or bullfights. It was the public square par excellence and still one of the most important with its cafés, shops and its refreshing fountain from 1571.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Corticarte - Arte em Cortica, Rua A, n0 7 Parque Industrial, Azaruja 7005-109 Portugal

Cortiçarte - Art in Cork Factory - Visit a unique cork factory after your lunch! An of the beaten path experience.
Portugal is one of the largest cork producers in the world. The
trees are peeled every 9 years and can grow up to 200 years old.
Nowadays, a wide variety of cork products is offered​ and are one
of the most important industries of Portugal as well as part of the
Alentejo’s Landscape.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Monsaraz Castle and Walls, Largo do Castelo, Monsaraz 7200-175 Portugal

Monsaraz, the graceful medieval village of Monsaraz, maintains the magic from ancient times like few others in the world. Made of lime and shale, this place whispers to us, between the echo of our footsteps in its streets.
A lot of magnificent stories could be told about its courageous kings, Knights of the Temple, brave people and dames of simple beauty.
Suspended in time, the historic village, one of the oldest in Portugal, is a mandatory destination to add to your list of places to visit in Alentejo. Especially after, in 2017, it won the category “Monument Villages” in the competition 7 Maravilhas de Portugal – Aldeias (7 wonders of Portugal – Villages).
Monsaraz shows signs of having been a fortified settlement during prehistoric times. It has always had a strong military and religious influences, impeccably preserving time until these days.
The privileged location of this small village, located on the top of the hill and then with a view over the river Guadiana and the frontier with Spain, made it highly coveted by the peoples which disputed it. Once called Saris or Sarish, Monsaraz was taken from the Muslims by Geraldo Sem Pavor (Fearless Geraldo), in 1167, in a military incursion departing from Evora.
After a later defeat which occurred in Badajoz, Spain, King Afonso Henriques again lost control of Monsaraz to the Moors. However, in 1232, King Sancho II recovered it once and for all. With the help and support of the Templars, to whom he finally donates the beautiful Alentejo village. The marks left by the Templar Order, later Order of Christ, still live among the castle walls.
Today, Monsaraz is a museum village which you must add to your list of what to do in Alentejo. But until mid-nineteenth century it was the head of the municipality. After that time, Reguengos de Monsaraz took that role. The whole municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz grew through the centuries following modernity. But Monsaraz turned its back on time and stayed where it wanted to be, a maiden – timelessly magnificent.



Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes