The best road cycling routes around Santa Justa

Vimieiro was a municipal seat between 1257 and 1855. Two charters are known, the first granted by D. Francisco Bruno Neves, Bishop of Évora, in 1257, and the second by D. Manuel I, King of Portugal, in 1512. In 1801, it consisted of the parishes of the town and Santa Justa. It then had 1,819 inhabitants and an area of 266 km². In 1849, it consisted only of the parish of the town. It was suppressed by the administrative reform of 1855, consequently losing its status as a town, a fact that the coat of arms with a mural crown of four visible towers still marks today.

The cathedral is a must-visit when in Évora. The entrance fee is very reasonable! First, climb the tower and enjoy a fantastic view from the roof of the cathedral. As you descend into the cloister, the beautiful yellow light from the window immediately catches your eye. Simply fascinating!

Giraldo Square is the main square in the city of Évora. It has undergone several changes over the years. Not so long ago, a traffic policeman stood there, directing the direction of Rua Cinco de Outubro, when cars circulated here and around the square. It was a parking lot and passenger pick-up point for a large fleet of taxis. It was the venue for meetings and business dealings among local farmers every Tuesday. Nowadays, it is largely occupied by the terraces of the surrounding restaurants and pastry shops. 👍🥾

Road with good surface and little traffic.

The church operates under two names: Igreja de São João Evangelista / Igreja dos Lóios. It belonged to the Monastery of Lios, also known as the Convent of St. John the Evangelist, which was built in the 15th century on top of a medieval castle. The monastery itself was converted into the Pousada Convento Évora hotel in modern times and is now privately owned. The church, accessed through a Gothic portal, is notable for the magnificent tiled panels that cover the walls. They were created in 1711 by the master Antonio de Oliveira Bernardes and depict scenes from the life of St. Lawrence Justinian. Through an opening in the floor, one can see the crypt, which lies next to a Moorish cistern. Along the sides are chapels with fine examples of gilded wood carvings. It is considered one of the most beautiful churches in Portugal and a must-see.

The original palace was built in the 14th century next to the Tower of Évora, where Martim Afonso de Mello, a servant of the Royal Military Order of Saint Benedict of Aviz and a descendant of the Portuguese crown, ordered its construction. The palace was partially built on the Roman-Visigothic walls of the old castle of Évora, and traces of both remain in its buildings. At the rear of the palace, you can admire the extraordinary Torre das Cinco Quinas, the famous pentagonal tower that gave it its name. In addition to the large outdoor gardens and the numerous rooms and halls that make up the complex, it also houses the Casa Cadaval exhibition rooms, which house a collection of illuminated codices, sculptures, paintings, and armories with pieces from the 15th and 18th centuries. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_the_Dukes_of_Cadaval

The library was opened in 1666 with the intention of serving as the Colégio dos Moss do Coro da Sé (Cathedral Choir School). At that time, the building was directly connected by an arcaded bridge to the Archiepiscopal Palace, now the Museum of Évora and the Cathedral. Today, the Public Library of Évora is one of the oldest and richest in Portugal. Its unique holdings include, in particular, its collection of books printed with movable type in the early days of the printing press, lithographs, and itineraries of ancient sailors and explorers. A must-see for anyone interested. The building is divided into three sections open to the public.

Fake ruins in the public garden of Évora