Evora and Surrounds, March 10, 2023

Another warm and sunny day, so we are happy to have made the decision to change locations.  As it was our last full day in Evora, there were still a couple of places we wanted to see as well as check-out a couple of places close to Evora.  It was another full day that ended with a visit to what was described as the best place to eat in Evora,    

A couple of kilomenters outside Evora sits The Monastery of Santa Maria Scala Coeli (Stairs of Heaven).  For 60 years the monastery was inaccessible to the public but is currently open from March to May then will close again as it will be re-occupied by an order of Nuns.  

The Evora Aqauaduct crossing the highway.  We saw a dirt road next to it and decided to see if we could follow its direction.

The dirt road took us to the top of a hill and we found this wonderful 18th century windmill used for grinding wheat into flour.  It was all locked up so could not go inside to see if the grinding wheel was still in operation.  Could see the aqueduct but was some distance away so went back to the highway and continued onwards

About 20km outside of Evora, we saw a castle on top of a hill and wanted to take a look.  We parked and walked up the hill to the Roman-Gothic castle of Arraioles which was built in the 14th century.  All that remains are the walls and a church.  After walking around the inner walls it was time to head back to Evora. 

We parked the car at the hotel and headed for Giraldo Square to have our daily cappuccino and pastela  de Nata before doing a little more exploring.

Completed in 1511 Graca church and convent is now used by the Portuguese Armed Forces.

The Church and Convent of St Francis was built in the 14th century in Gothic style.  The Church was extensively renovated in 2014/15 to its original glory.

The interior was originally designed to be a plain and simple place of worship.  In the 18th century, it became popular for wealthy families to buy fancy side chapels filled with gold-leaf splendor that shouts anything but poverty.  Most of the gold-leaf came from the plunder of Brazil.

Next door to the Church of St. Francis is the Chapel of Bones which was built in the first half of the 17th century.  It is the oldest Chapel of Bones in Portugal and was, from its beginning, dedicated to the cult of the Souls of Pergatory. Both walls, pillars and arches are covered with thousands of bones and skulls, brought from burial areas associated with the convent.  

            Above the entrance door a sign reads "We the bones that are here wait for yours to join us". 

It was time to head home, shower, change and make our way to our reservation at Resaurante O Fialho.  This family run restaurant has been here since 1945 and serves up delicious varieties of local cuisine.  It was a marvelous experience and the food was everything we had expected.  For starters we shared garlic mushrooms and octopus salad.  For my main course I had the grilled medallions of black pig in olive oil and garlic served with apple sauce and potatoes,  Amazing flavors.               

 Rita's main course was pork cheeks braised in red wine sauce with wild rice.  So tender and flavorful.  This restaurant is worth seeking out as its located in an narrow alley off the main street.  And reservations are highly recommended.  What a delicious way to end our time in Evora.