| Evora |
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Standing out against the skyline of the Alentejo plain, Évora retains the splendour of a royal city. A world of unexpected contrasts awaits you in the unique city of Evora. It has a history more than two thousand years old. You’ll see labyrinthine streets, squares flooded with light, Renaissance fountains, Moorish courtyards and Gothic doorways and turrets. The Romans created the elegant temple, battlements and baths, and the Moorish “Yeborah” influenced the urban network of the Mouraria district. Conquered in the time of King Afonso Henriques, the city captured the imagination of the kings of Portugal. King João II chose it for the wedding of his successor to the daughter of the Catholic Monarchs. One of the most ostentatious celebrations ever seen in the late Middle Ages. King Manuel I established his court in Évora as did King João III. Nobility accompanied the monarchs and built luxurious palaces, families such as the Counts of Basto and the Dukes of Cadaval settled here. It was at this time that the Royal Palace and large convents were built, such as the Convent of São Francisco. The Royal Palace is an unusual combination of the Gothic style with the decorative influence of Islam, whilst the Convent of São Francisco is one of the finest churches in Portugal. The 16th Century was a golden age for the city. Artists from Flanders, Italy and Spain flocked here to make their mark. Masters of humanities came from Salamanca and Paris to join the University, which was founded in 1553 and still functions today. Due to its historical significance, UNESCO has classified Évora as a World Heritage site. |
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