Évora - Surroundings

A little road northeast out of Alvito leads to Agua de Peixes, where the Dukes of Cadaval, who also owned a magnificent urban palace in Évora, sited their fine 16th C. Hispano Mauresque country mansion.

18km/11mi northwest of Viana do Alentejo, at the foot of the Serra de Sao Joao, lies Alcáçovas, with a handsome 15th C. palace of the Counts of Alcáçovas and a notable 16th C. parish church. Some 3km/2mi west above the town lies the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Esperança (16th C.), the remains of a Dominican monastery; from here there are fine views.

The little country town of Alvito, 10km/6mi south of Viana de Alentejo, boasts a parish church with magnificent 17th C. azulejo decoration and a fine fortified castle (15th C.) built by the Marquês de Alvito. The castle has recently been converted into a pousada.

A few miles south of the Cromeleque dos Almendres, near the town of Valverde, can be found the "Anta do Zambujeiro", a setting of stones with dolmens over 6m/20ft high. A stone covered each dolmen, and over this earth was originally heaped. Most of the grave goods found in these tombs are now on display in the Évora Museum.

The Convento d'Espinheiro, 3km/2mi northwest of Évora, has a beautiful cloister dating from the 15th/16th C.

The Convento de Sao Bento de Castris, 4km/2.5mi northwest of Évora on the N114-4 to Arraiolos, stands at the foot of Mt Sao Bento (367m/1,203ft, fine views). The convent was founded in 1274 and has a 14th/15th C. church containing 18th C. azulejo decoration; there is also a fine 16th C. cloister.

13km/8mi north of Sousel lies Fronteira, with several fine 17th/18th C. residences and a late 16th C. parish church. In the main square stands a 17th C. marble pillory. A fine view of the town can be obtained from the tower of the Town Hall. Above the town stands the church of Nossa Senhora da Vila Velha, which is completely clad with 17th C. azulejos.

A short way past the Cromeleque do Xerez the road meets the N 256; 5km/ 3mi further on in a southerly direction lies the town of Mourao, protected by a medieval castle. Characteristic of the town are the cylindrical chimneys with hemispherical cowls.

About 40km/24mi southeast of Évora lies the small country town of Portel. Its 13th C. Bragança castle was largely rebuilt under Manuel I (fine view). The little chapel of Santo António is lavishly decorated with polychrome azulejos.

The narrow road leading south from Monsaraz to Mourao soon passes the Cromeleque do Xerez (signposted). The collection of menhirs here is, however, not quite as impressive as that at Almendres.

Viana de Alentejo, 30km/19mi south of Évora, has a 15th C. castle and a 16th C. parish church with a magnificent Manueline doorway and azulejo decoration inside.

Romaria, bullfights.