Today is

By: Ikedi Ani-okoye

EVORA

The Alentejo Province is a region of wide plains to the south of the Tagus River in Portugal. In the heart of this region, on a gentte hill surrounded by vineyards and beautiful rural scenery, lies the city of a Evora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its historic centre has been preserved in its original state and is surrounded by fortif,ed walls and dominated by an imposing, fortress cathedral. The city contains monuments dating from many different historical periods: there are some 4,000 buildings of interest within the walls, including churches, palaces, gates and squares, yet Evora is a vibrant, forward-thinking university town.

Evora's history starts 2,000 years ago. It was knovrn by the Romans as Liberalitas Julia, and remains from this period (including walls and rooms) and the monumental imperial temple of Diana, can still be seen. with its 14 Corinthian columns and part of the entablature, this is the best-preserved Roman monument in Portugal. During the barbarian invasions, Evora was under Visigoth rule, and tn715 the city was conquered by the Moors. Evora was taken from the Moors by the Christian knight Geraldo Sempavor in the 12th century and became one of the most vibrant cities in Portugal during the Middle Ages. The court was often in residence here and Evora saw many royal weddings. Gothic in style, the cathedral dates back to the thirteenth century, but the cloisters and the doorway are fourteenth-century additions.

The dome above the transept is unusual in Portuguese churches and the Baroque aILar is a later reconstruction. Nearby is the Gothic church of S5o Joao Evangelista, a wonderful building founded in 1485. The nave is lined with stunning hand-painted tiles. The university was founded by the Company of Jesus in 1551.

Here great European Masters such as Olenardo and Molina passed on their knowledge to the students. In the l8th century, the Jesuits were expelled, the university was closed and Evora went into decline. Evora's lively cultural, artistic and historical past is well documented in the many surviving monuments from each historic period, all part of the rich heritage of this museum-like city.

POPULATION: EVORA

50,000 (2006) WHEN TO GO: Spring or autumn.

DON'T MISS: EVORA

Palace of Vasco da Gama - notable for its Manueline cloister and preserved Renaissance murals. St. Francisco Church - the skulls and bones of 5,000 monks line the walls. There are even two desiccated corpses hanging from the wall.

An inscription reads'we bones that are here await yours'. University of Evora. Roman temple of Diana. Evora Cathedral - the best-preserved Roman monument in Portugal. Aqueduct of Agua de Prata - built in 1531 to 1537 to supply the city with water, its huge arches stretch for 9km (6 mi). Remarkably, houses, shops and cafes occupy one end of the aqueduct.

YOU SHOULD KNOW: EVORA

This is the best remaining example of Portugal's'Golden Age'.