ÉVORA & VILA VIÇOSA TOUR (9h)
Discover one of the most beautiful cities in the south of Portugal, Évora, and one of the most precious jewels in the Portuguese crown, Vila Viçosa.
Évora is a city that has a rich cultural heritage and its well-preserved historical centre was recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Its privileged geographical location dictated the settlement of different civilizations over the centuries. Testimonies of its Roman occupation are still preserved today and the remains of its Arab past are clearly visible in its popular architecture and gastronomy. During the Christian Reconquest of the XII century, it played a leading role in the formation of the national identity and, later, in the XV and XVI centuries, during the maritime discoveries, it was selected as the residence of the kings and centre of the huge Portuguese empire.
During this private tour, we will show you its Roman Temple, the most emblematic monument in the city, built in the middle of the I century, the only one of its kind in Portugal; its imposing Cathedral, whose construction started at the end of the XII century, being the largest medieval cathedral in the country, where you will see a rare statue of our Lady pregnant; the old University of Évora, founded in 1559, the second university created in the country, after the foundation of the University of Coimbra; the lively Giraldo Square, considered the heart of the city, which inherited the name of its conqueror, Geraldo the fearless, who took Évora from the Moors in 1165; and the mysterious Bones’ Chapel, which is part of the Royal Church of S. Francis, whose walls and ceilings are carefully covered with hundreds of human bones that will certainly be engraved in your memory forever.
After a fantastic lunch in the capital of Alentejo, we will continue your tour, heading towards Vila Viçosa, a quiet town that was for centuries the headquarters of noble House of Bragança, the fourth and last dynasty reigning in the country since 1640, which marks the restoration of national independence over Spanish rule, until 1910, the date of the implantation of the Republic in Portugal. Its ex-libris is the monumental Ducal Palace, whose construction started in 1501, but the several enlargement campaigns that gave it its current appearance occurred in the XVI and XVII centuries. Its façade of Mannerist style and totally covered with marble from the region is 110 meters long, making it a unique example of the Portuguese civil architecture. Its sumptuous rooms have an important collection of decorative arts, painting, sculpture, furniture, tapestries, ceramics and jewellery. Its kitchen impresses with a vast collection of copper utensils that shine in the cupboards, as if waiting to be used.
In this tour, we will take you as well to the Sanctuary of our Lady of Conception, also known as Solar da Padroeira, where you can see the original image of Our Lady of Conception, patron saint of Portugal. This church is located within the medieval walls of the castle of Vila Viçosa, but it is not possible, however, to specify the date of its foundation. According to tradition, the image was offered by D. Nuno Álvares Pereira, a noble warrior of the XVI century, known today as St. Nuno de Santa Maria, and it was proclaimed the patron saint of Portugal, in 1646, by the king D. João IV, founder of the Bragança dynasty. From then on, the Portuguese monarchs never put the royal crown on their heads again. This is a place of great devotion to Marian worship and it was visited by Pope John Paul II, on his first visit to Portugal.
From € 445