Captivating and filled with history, Évora is the heritage capital of UNESCO.
Here we practice the art of “eating well”, whether it is codfish, lamb, asparagus or dogfish. The regional landscape sets the mood and stage for the variety of cultural events that today, fill the days of this eclectic city.
During the Neolithic, Évora was the stage for large human movements, to which the existing megalithic monuments serve as witnesses.
In 59 B.C., Emperor César Augustos, funds the city under name Liberalitas Julia.
The Muslim occupation of the city followed the Roman and lasted about 5 centuries, until in 1165, Giraldo Sem Pavor (Giraldo without fear) conquered it, making it part of the Portuguese Kingdom.
Today Évora is a modern city with an important Historical Center that serves as pole to the vast region it serves.
As a prime example of this cultural growth we’d like to highlight the following examples of events that occur during the year:
Short Films International Fest – FIKE, Festival Internacional de Curtas Metragens – every year between the 25th and the 29th of October, Évora, Beja and Portalegre become the main stages for the event, cinema, meetings and workshops.
The Dolls of Santo Aleixo, known and appreciate all through Portugal, are the hosts of the biyearly Puppet Fest in Évora. BIME – Bienal Internacional de Marionetas de Évora – exists since 1987 and counts with the participation of many international artists. The fest occurs at the Teatro Garcia de Resende.
LÁ FORA – Performance Arts Fest is organized by the Fundação Eugénio de Almeida, a renowned foundation in Portugal, and welcomes artists from all over the world in it’s spaces. Dance and music invite those who are watching to celebrate and share blissful moments filled with moving art in the city considered by UNESCO as Humanity heritage.
As one of the most important wine fests, we have Évora Wine, where more than 30 wine producers take part in displaying the best wines the region of Alentejo has to offer.
Fest of São João is part of Évora’s traditions. A Display of Cultural Tourism and an event where Évora can boast the best the region has to offer. From it’s wine, to the gastronomy, handcraft, sports and music. Many families attend the fest due to the amount of fun activities and restaurants present.
By visiting Monsaraz, you’ll be transported back in time due to it’s agglomerate of history. And if Arraiolos is internationally known by it’s tapestry and castle, then S. Pedro do Corval should be considered the capital of pottery.
From all the close locations we would also like to highlight Estremoz, when the chapel of Rainha Santa Isabel and Pousada de Estremoz, will most definitely amaze you.
If you’re a wine enthusiast then you absolutely must visit some of the best wineries of the region, from Ervideira, Carmim, Quinta do Quetzal, Mingorra, Solar dos Lobos and Vinha das Virtudes. All of these you’ll find a mere 60 km from the city of Évora.
You can’t also miss the following events that take place in the adjacent villages to Évora.
“O Tapete Está na Rua” – Tapestry on the streets – an event that focus on displaying the world famed Tapestry of Arraiolos as well as providing a wide array of activities for those who attend it.
In Campo Maior and Redondo you’ll one of the most colorful traditions in the country, where the locals decorate all of the village’s streets with handmade paper flowers.
In Viana do Alentejo, hundreds of pilgrims arrive by horse from all over the country. A spectacle worthy of a trip, where the horses, horse riders and their respective ornaments hold the gaze of those who are there to watch them pass.
The mouthwatering “Mostra de Doçaria” in Alcáçovas. The different traditional sweets and cakes are the main attractions in one of the most prominent winter events of the region.
The “Açordas” Fest of Portel aims to show and publicise one of the most characteristically dishes in Alentejo’s gastronomy.
Handcrafted good and regional products are the main focus of “Feira do Montado”, an event that takes place in Portel.
Address:
Avenida Túlio Espanca Apart. 93
Contacts:
(+351) 266 748 800
(national landline)
Reservations:
(+351) 266 748 800
(national landline)
reservas@evorahotel.pt
