Évora, Alantejo

Arriving in the evening in Évora, I settled in my hotel next to the old walls and strolled around the  medieval town. 

Hotel M'Ar de Ar Muralhas

The historic buildings were nicely lit and people walked around the old squares enjoying the scenic and looking for a dinner place.

Igreja de Santo Antao

Aqueduto da Água de Prata

I found my dinner at the "O Fialho" - a local culinary place serving to the cuisine of the Alentejo. The restaurant was well filled. The food and the service was great.

O Fialho

Next morning, I waited for the rain to cease before heading out to the centre again and sightseeing.

Praça do Giraldo to San Antao

Praça do Giraldo to Teatro

The main square Praca do Giraldo was busy with tourists and café enthusiasts. From there little streets led up to the Sé. Started in the 12th century, the fortress-like cathedral towers over the annexed cloister. Vasco da Gama got the flags of his ships blessed there in 1497. Like on the Dome of Milan you are allowed to walk on the roof and can enjoy spectacular views from there over the city.

Sé

Cloister 

Around the town, there are several signs of Roman buildings: the aqueduct, baths and a Diana temple.

Diana Temple

Another interesting building complex is the university with arched Italian Renaissance-style cloisters and a Jesuit temple.

Universidade de Évora

The streets revealed more churches to me. The main church "Igreja de Sao Francisco" was closed for renovation, only the Capela dos Ossos (Bones Chapel) was open for visitors. In the 16th century, Igreja da Graça was built in Mannerist style.

Igreja da Graça

The corners are toped with atlas-like statues representing the four rivers.

azuelos

The air of Évora was filled to delicious scents - one from the omnipresent violet trees, the other from Pastel de Nata. That's a lovely tasty egg tart, that makes your mouth watering.

Jacaranda mimosifolia

Pasteleria de Nata