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* This tour requires at least one of the following per booking: Adult, Senior
Evora Megalithic Tour
Unveil the secrets of the megalithic on a guided visit to prehistory in Alentejo: Almendres Cromlech, Almendres Menhir.
Évora, considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1986.
Here begins the preparation of your trip to this beautiful city in the heart of the Alentejo, the best way to visit this city is on foot, walking through narrow streets, white houses, to discover monuments such as the Roman Temple of Diana, built in the century II, the famous Chapel of Bones, Church of São Francisco, Évora
Private transportation
WiFi on board
Bottled water
Air-conditioned vehicle
TICKETS NOT INCLUDED
Departure Point
Traveler pickup is offered
The departure starts at your hotel, accommodation, airport, station or seaport in Lisbon District
Traveler pickup
Lisboa Airport, Lisbon, Portugal
Doca Jardim do Tabaco Terminal de Cruzeiros de Lisboa, Av. Infante Dom Henrique, 1100-651 Lisboa, Portugal
Centro Interpretativo dos Almendres, Evora, Portugal Going on the Megalithic Tour in Evora, a visit to the megalithic monuments in this region, means to go back thousands of years in time. In Evora district there are more than 10 megalithic sites, making this fenomenal testimony of prehistory in Alentejo one of the most important in the Iberian Peninsula and Europe altogether.
These prehistoric monuments go back to the Neolithic period (5500-4500 BC). Their location in in the outskirts of Evora because this region is the only place where the river basins of the most important rivers in the south of Portugal come together: Tagus, Sado and Guadiana. So, the Alentejo plains were ideal for the last communities of hunter-gatherers humans to practise their way of living. 60 minutes
Cromeleque dos Almendres, Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, Portugal We come across Almendres Menhir close to Almendres Cromlech, since they are intimately connected. Seen from the cromlech, the menhir indicates the sunrise in the summer solstice (the longest day of the year).
It has the shape of an elongated egg and has a crosier (staff) engraved in the top part. This form represents the importance of nature in the Neolithic, especially in what the domestication of animals is concerned. 60 minutes
R. da República 11, 7000-841 Évora, Portugal Évora
Towns and Villages
Topped by an imposing cathedral, Évora is laid out over a gently sloping hill rising out of the huge Alentejo plain. It guards its historic centre with a vast outer wall and represents a valuable cultural legacy that UNESCO has classified World Heritage.
The city, with its narrow streets of Moorish origin contrasting with squares where the light floods in, holds two millennia of hsitory. Conquered in 59 B.C. by the Romans, they named it "Liberalitas Julia". In this period, Évora gained great importance as can be witnessed from the remains of that time: the ruins of a fine temple dated towards the end of the second century, various parts of the wall and the gateway more recently called Dona Isabel in addition to the remains of thermal baths below what is now the Municipal Council building.
Little remains of the Visigoth period (5th - 8th centuries). There then followed the Moorish period begun with the city's conquest by Tárique. This lasted through to Christian reconquest in the 12th century. Yeborah, as it became known, had already received an indelible Moorish influence, most clearly seen in the Mouraria neighbourhood.
After the Reconquest, in addition to between the inner and outer walls, urban development moved beyond the city's walls. The city was home to the court of various Portuguese kings of the first and second dynasties. During this period it was endowed with various palaces and monuments, particularly during the reigns of kings João II and Manuel (15th and 16th centuries).
Wander its streets and absorb the secret soul that a diverse range of cultural influences has laid down in this city of the World. There are also excellent restaurants and bars, esplanades, arts and handicraft stores and the youthful nature of those attending its university all adding up to a dynamic of the present with its roots very firmly in the past. 60 minutes
Templo Romano de Evora (Templo de Diana), Evora, Portugal Templo romano de Évora
Archaeology
The Roman Temple, over 2000 years old, is the ex-libris monument of Évora and is one of the most important historic ruins in the country.
The Roman temple in Évora was built in the first century, during the time of Caesar Augustus. It has a long history, serving as testimony to many transformations and different uses over the centuries. It was practically destroyed when the Barbarians occupied the Iberian peninsular in the fifth century, and served as a bank vault and butcher’s to Evora castle in the 14th century.
Its original Roman design was only recovered in the 19th century, in one of the first archaeological interventions in Portugal. It is a testimony to the Roman forum of the city of Évora, consecrated to the Imperial cult, thus clarifying a 17th-century tradition that claimed that the temple had been consecrated to the goddess Diana. For this reason, it was identified for many years as the Temple of Diana. Recent excavations have shown that it was surrounded by a portico and water mirror.
30 minutes
Cathedral of Evora (Se Catedral de Evora), Evora, Portugal From Évora's Cathedral to Largo das Portas de Moura
Other
Turning the apse of the Sé, head down the Freiria de Cima street looking for the porches and twinned windows that ornament some of the houses.
Continuing along the streets of Cenáculo and Freiria de Baixo, you come across S. Manços street where there is the House of Garcia de Resende (who was royal secretary, poet and writer). The house boasts three beautiful twinned Manueline windows decorated with small columns and Moorish style points.
Further along, in the Portas de Moura square, in addition to the Mudéjar - Manueline veranda of the Cordovil house, the beautiful renaissance fountain draws all eyes.
The interesting angle of the Sé can be particularly effectively discerned from this spot.
Close by there is the former University of the Holy Spirit founded in 1559 by Cardinal Henrique for the College of the Company of Jesus.
30 minutes
Capela dos Ossos, Evora, Portugal Bones Chapel in Evora – History
The chapel was built in the 17th century on the initiative of three Franciscan friars. Their goal: to convey the message of temporariness and fragility of human life. This message clearly comes across to visitors of Bones Chapel right at its entrance through the sign “We bones that are here, for yours we wait”. In fact, it shows Baroque’s men macabre taste for necrophilia. 30 minutes
Igreja de Sao Francisco, Evora, Portugal Igreja de São Francisco / Capela dos Ossos - Évora
Monuments
Church of São Francisco - Évora
One of the striking features of the façade is a church porch with arches of different styles - a typical example of the "marriage" between Gothic and Moorish style found in so many monuments of this region in Portugal. Over the Manueline doorway we can see the emblems of the kings that commissioned its construction - D. João II and D. Manuel I - whose emblems were the pelican and armillary sphere respectively.
One particularity of the Church is that it has a single nave, terminating in a ribbed vaulted ceiling, that has the largest span of all Portuguese Gothic architecture. On the sides we can see twelve chapels, all covered in Baroque carved woodwork. The main chapel, dating from the early 16th century, still maintains important Renaissance features such as the pulpits. It's well worth noting the harmonious decoration of stone, carved woodwork and azulejo tiles in the chapel of the third order, on one of the arms of the transept.
Inside, visitors can see the strange Bones Chapel, built during the Filippine period (17th-century). The pillars and walls are completely covered by bones. It's also worth noting the late Renaissance doorway where the capitals of the columns seem to be decorated in a different manner according to whether one is looking from the exterior or interior. 60 minutes
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
Lisette_D
23 Jul 2023
The guide, Jorge,was the most friendly and helpful ever, he accommodated our trip as our request and gave us time to explore. Places where awesome, the oldest cathedral of Portugal, etc, kids loved!! I have a 9 and a 13 year old and they enjoy the trip very much as well. Highly recommended as well as our fantastic best ever guide Jorge
Roswitha_F
05 Jul 2023
Overall an enjoyable day that provided the highlights and sights of Evora. The guide was very nice. However, there was no time to actually explore Evora. The monoliths were a bit underwhelming. Would not recommend this specific tour if the expectation is to explore the town of Evora besides the sights.
luis_c
07 Apr 2023
My wife and I enjoyed Evora. It was a magical place to visit. Our guide was great company and conscious of our needs. He was knowledgable and recommended the best places to eat.
This tour in
Lisbon
is organized by
Fantastic Ride
We always double-check the availability with our local partners for each booking. Even though this is usually a swift process, it can take up to 24 hours. Once this process is completed you will receive your voucher or ticket by email. If our local partner is not able to confirm your booking we will offer you the best possible alternative. If the new date and/or time doesn’t fit your itinerary, we will reimburse the full amount paid.
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