Eastern Way
Viana do Alentejo < > Évora
Stage 8
There is not enough space here to the describe the many obligatory visits that the fascinating Évora offers us: the Cathedral, the countless churches, the Roman temple, the University, the genuine and ancient alleys, the convents and megalithic monuments in the vicinity, the Capela dos Ossos (Bones Chapel) in the Church of São. Francisco, where the message on the door is a reminder of the timeless human frailty: “We bones who are here, waiting for yours”… Without forgetting the Church of São Tiago, which for more than 700 years has exhibited on the top of its pediment the apostle Santiago on horseback, fighting the Moors. The magnificent interior is covered with azulejomurals and paintings from more recent times, enhanced with a beautiful golden carved altarpiece in the main chapel.
and also…
São João Fair
The Saint John’s Fair has existed under this name since 1569, but other fairs were already held at the Rossio de São Brás in Évora: Feira de Santiago (1275), Feira Franqueada (since 1286), Feira dos Pucarinhos ou das Candeias (1525), Feira dos Estudantes (1569), Feira dos Ramos (1839), Feira Nova de São Cipriano (since 1900). The first Feira de São João was held in the largest open space in Évora, the Rossio de São Brás, on June 24, 1569. Years later, in 1574, D. Sebastião’s license was created, which regulated that the fair would always take place in the space where it still takes place today. At that time, as still a little bit today, the Fair was composed of merchants’ tents and crafts, such as gold and silver goldsmiths, silk merchants, candle-makers, boilermakers, leather tanners, colored cloth merchants, crockery potters, spinners, shoemakers, weavers, etc. With the passing of time, although the popular character has not changed, the Feira de São João de Évora has undergone some changes. During the Estado Novo (New State), after 1940, it served to reinforce the Portuguese culture, with the costume parades and other manifestations that would transmit the idea of a united, even imperial, homeland. After the 25th of April 1974, the fair was modernized, and the economic activities started to be highlighted. The importance of the São João Fair for Évora has been such that, in the middle of the 20th century, the municipal holiday was fixed on June 29th (Saint Peter’s Day).
Every silver lining has a cloud! And when you leave Viana, there is the certainty that you either hate or love this “queen stage”. But the arrival in Évora is a great and abundant reward, a solemn moment of ecstasy, almost as if we were already staring in front of the apostle’s cathedral…
We travel under ten kilometers without history to the quiet village of Aguiar. In days of extreme heat, prudence advises that we recover here, enjoying a long provincial gazpacho, followed by any traditional delicacy that accentuates laziness and encourages you to put your boots away for today… The ancients suggested it by leaving the imposing Anta de Aguiar dolmen beside the Path, for an improvised backrest. In a fiercer way, or in cooler weather, we follow the ancient Roman military route, from the Emperor Antonino Pio’s itinerary, which connected Ebora Liberalitas Julia (Évora) to Pax Julia (Beja), and we see the Camoeira redoubt, a fortified manor house from the 15th century, allegedly built by a relative of the distinguished Luís Vaz
Distance 36 km
Maximum altitude 292 m
Cumulative increase 365 m
Cumulative descent -326 m
Duration 8h45m
Difficulty (0-5) 3
de Camões. A little further north there used to be the Camoeira Port, known for the road that crossed it, nicknamed “Diabos” (Devils), which belonged to Adriano’s empire. With attention, it is still possible to discover a granite column more than 2 meters long, the former stepping stone to cross the Xarrama River.
From here to Évora the journey will be severe and lonely, in which the monotony of yellowness of the stubble is barely broken by the abundant ruminants and by the migrant storks who settled permanently in the plain, fed by the ponds of the indolent river Xarrama. The Path leads us to the famous Giraldo Square, in honour of the legendary robber Geraldo Sem Pavor (Without Fear), who redeemed himself before D. Afonso Henriques when he conquered Évora from the Moors, a heroic feat forever immortalized in the city’s coat of arms. At the Tourism Office we take care of the well-deserved rest and we collect itinerary to guide us in the discovery of this city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
TIPS
Always carry water, supplies, sunscreen, a hat, waterproof, comfortable shoes, and a map.
SUPPORT
CTT Post Office
Bank/Cash Dispenser
Évora Tourism Office +351 266 777 071
Táxis
PUBLIC ENTITIES
Évora City Council
+351 266 777 000
Évora Parish Councils (São Mamede, Sé, São Pedro and Santo Antão)
+351 266 707 792
HEALTH
Espírito Santo de Évora Hospital
+351 266 740 100+351 266 740 100
Pharmacy
Points of Interest
São Bento de Castris Monastery
Remédios Monastery
Évora Cathedral
Nossa Senhora da Cabeça Chapel
São Brás Church
Santo Antão Church
São Francisco Church and Ossos Chapel
São Mamede Church
São Tiago Church
Misericórdia Church
Nossa Senhora das Mercês Church
Água da Prata Aqueduct
D. Isabel Roman Arch
Almendres Cromlech
Cordovil House
Colored Houses
Praça do Giraldo Fountain
Domus
Nossa Senhora do Ó Hermitage
Playroom and Toy Museum
Scale House
Évora Roman Temple
USEFUL CONTACTS
Emergency: 112
Forest Fires: 117
GNR − National Republican Guard: +351 266 748 400
PSP − Public Security Police: +351 266 760 450
Évora Civil Protection: +351 800 206 405
CODE OF CONDUCT
Do not leave the marked and signaled route. Do not approach cliffs. Pay attention to the markings. Do not dispose of organic or inorganic waste during the trail, take a bag for this purpose. If you see garbage, collect it, help us to keep the Paths clean. Beware of livestock, don’t bother the animals. Leave Nature intact. Do not collect plants, animals or rocks. Avoid making noise. Respect private property, close gates and barriers. Don’t light fires and be careful with cigarettes. Do not vandalize the Paths signage.