Evora

About

Inside the 14th-century walls, the narrow, winding streets take visitors past the ancient city’s striking architectural works. The elaborate medieval cathedral and cloisters, 16th century bone chapel, and ancient columns of the Templo Romano and Roman baths are all protected in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. While admiring the picturesque town square, you’d never suspect it was once the site of some rather gruesome scenes courtesy of the Inquisition. The Chapel of Bones, filled with the remains of 5000 bodies, is a 16th century monument made to give people a peaceful place to reflect on life and death. With such a long history in a limited space, it’s easy to walk between examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture in one of the most-livable cities in Portugal.