Através de Alentejo áte Évora

  Évora, Portugal
Monday, October 9, 2006

After this, it's a 120 km drive on route 124, by single highway to Săo Bartolomeu where we join the Lisbon Motorway. We speed north to the intersection to Beja, and then back on standard and almost deserted roads past the capital of Alentejo Province to the university city of Évora. The toll is only € 3.90.

Évora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and well deserved it is. Part of the town is enclosed by ancient walls and has been preserved in its original state. It was known by the Romans as Liberalitas Julia, and vestiges from this period (walls and rooms) and the monumental imperial temple (Diana's temple), still remain.

We have booked accommodation at the eclectic Pensăo Policarpo.

1. Pensão Policarpo is just down here.

This charming pousada is the 16th century home of the Condes da Lousă, and is located down a narrow cobbled lane.

2. Pensão Policarpo

We were welcomed by the pleasant staff and showed a simple but adequate room overlooking the town and surrounding countryside. The lodging was somewhat decrepit, but quite charming.  The room is € 50.00, including breakfast.

3. View from our window.

As soon as we could, we sally forth to explore the lovely town, which we immediately fell in love with. It is beautifully kept and still very active.  As a seat of learning there are lots of young people around and the attractive streets and plazas invite strolling and socializing. Wandering up an alley we see to one side the artfully restored remains of the original Roman walls. The Roman Temple of Diana, with its elegant Corinthian columns dating from the end of the second century AD, is also dramatically illuminated.

4. Roman temple in Évora

For dinner, we forgo Mr. Pickwick's Restaurant, even though it is well known for local cuisine, and select Cervejaría ź Para as Nove (quarter to nine...your guess is as good as mine). Very popular with locals, I enjoy a dish of pork with almeijas (cockles) and Miryam a calamar (squid) salad, both excellent. We are realizing either we are getting better at choosing restaurants, or the food is just plain better in Portugal. The bill, with wine, is € 24.75.