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Photo: F Delventhal from Outside Washington, D.C., US, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Designed by military architect Francisco de Arruda (who previously designed the Belém Tower, it was built during the reign of by King João III between 1531 and 1537, the huge arches which stretched 9 km (6 miles) to supply water from the interior to Évora. The aqueduct extended to the Praça do Giraldo, and bisected the city, resulting in the construction of houses, shops and cafés built between the arches (such as in the areas of Rua da Cano, Travessa das Nunes and Rua do Salvador street). A segment of the Roman wall and foundations of period buildings are preserved along Travessa Alcárcova de Cima, a narrow lane in the historic center. This structure was mentioned in the epic poem Os Lusíadas by Luís de Camões.
The Aqueduct of Água de Prata, also known as the Évora Aqueduct, the Prata Aqueduct, and the Água de Prata Aqueduct, is a 16th-century water supply structure that brings water from springs northeast of Évora to the historic centre of the city in the Alentejo region of Portugal. The aqueduct is made of a linear series of arches and piping that is integrated into the city and has been protected as a national monument since 1910. The aqueduct is around 11 miles (18km) long.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Templo romano de Évora
Improperly referred to as the Temple of Diana, was a 1st-century (in some references 2nd or 3rd century) temple, dedicated to the cult of Emperor Augustus, that was incorporated into mediaeval building and, thus, survived destruction. Évora's most famous landmark, it is constructed of 7.68 m (25.20 ft) Corinthian columns and fourteen granite columns, and whose base, capitals and the architraves of marble excavated from Estremoz.
Paço dos Duques de Cadaval, Palácio dos Duques de Cadaval
a 17th-century palace, built from the remains of an old castle (burnt down in 1384), and later serving as Governors and Royal residences. The palace includes Manueline-Moorish architectural elements (including the Tower of the Five Shields), and whose first-floor houses a collection of manuscripts, family portraits and religious art from the 16th century.
Igreja dos Lóios
Built in the 15th century, contains a number of tombs; the church and the cloister are Gothic in style, with a Manueline chapterhouse with a magnificent portal. The church interior is covered in azulejos (ceramic tiles) from the 18th century. In 1965 it has been converted into a top-end pousada.
Palácio dos Condes de Basto, Paço de São Miguel da Freiria, Palácio do Pátio de São Miguel
A primitive Moorish castle and later residence of the Afonsine dynastic kings. Its outer architecture displays features of Gothic, Manueline, Mudéjar and Renaissance styles.
Basílica Sé de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, Catedral de Évora, Sé de Évora
Mainly built between 1280 and 1340, it is one of the most important gothic monuments of Portugal. The cathedral has a notable main portal with statues of the Apostles (around 1335) and a beautiful nave and cloister. One transept chapel is Manueline and the outstanding main chapel is Baroque. The pipeorgan and choir stalls are renaissance (around 1566).
Igreja de São Francisco
Built between the end of the 15th and the early 16th centuries in mixed Gothic-Manueline styles. The wide nave is a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture. Contains many chapels decorated in Baroque style, including the Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos), totally covered with human bones.