Évora Monte, or Evoramonte, is a parish in the municipality of Estremoz, in central Alentejo, which rises partly on the Serra de Ossa.
Among the dozens (if not hundreds) of castles that make up the Alentejo, the one at Évora Monte stands out for its peculiarity: although it is quadrangular in shape, its four corners have large turrets. In addition to its atypical shape, the exterior is almost cement-colored and has small, discreet decorative elements. Curious to understand the origin of this building, which is so different from the rest of the region, we headed for the walled part of the quiet parish of Évora Monte.
How to get to Évora Monte
Access to the historic area is quite simple: follow the N18 (which runs through the more modern area of Évora Monte), heading towards the Church of São Pedro de Fora, passing the Évora Monte Swing and then the Chapel of São Sebastião. Along this road, you will reach the entrance to the wall, where there is the “Heart of Évora Monte Frame” installation and a dirt parking area where you can leave your car.
Although it is possible to enter the wall by car, avoid doing so if you are physically able to walk around the area - the roads are uneven and narrow.
Explore Évora Monte
Although the walled area of Évora Monte is not very large, it has several points of interest.
Facing the main door, and before entering, you can choose to take a dirt track that appears on your left and leads to the Ermida de Santa Margarida (Chapel of St. Margaret).
Passing the Porta da Vila or Porta do Sol (Village Door or Gate of the Sun), you find yourself on the main road, Convention Street, which leads to the main places of interest.
The first building of interest is on the right: the Casa da Convenção (Convention House), which gives the street its name. In a white house with yellow sides, so typical of the Alentejo, the plaque above the door reads, in capital letters: “On May 26, 1834, in this house of Joaquim António Saramago, the Convention of Évora Monte was signed, which re-established peace in Portugal”. Joaquim António Dias Saramago was the county administrator at the time, and the convention between absolutists and liberals that ended the civil war in Portugal was signed in his house.
Following the main street, the main element appears on the right: the Castelo de Évora Monte (Évora Monte Castle).
The so-called Castle of Évora Monte is a military building constructed in 1532. Although military, it never really served its purpose, having been the hunting residence of the Dukes of Bragança, which is why it is called the Ducal Palace.
The visit is possible and has the cost of 2€/person (in 2021) and gives you free access to visit the building, even though the interior is practically empty. You can check the price and time before your visit at the Estremoz City Council website (here). Although the website mentions that the price of the visit includes the guided tour, it didn't in our case.
Square in plan with four large turrets, its façade features several knots. The castle has three floors, with decorated columns and vaulted ceilings. On the terrace you'll find a place where you can admire the beauty of the surroundings.
Leaving the Castle, the remains of the Pelourinho de Évora Monte (Évora Monte's Pillory)appear in the hall ahead, with only the base remaining. Walking a few more steps, there is a path on the right that leads to the Porta de São Sebastião (São Sebastião Door), one of the access gates to Évora Monte which, as the name suggests, leads directly to the Chapel of São Sebastião (which you passed on the way in).
Continuing on past the pillory, you come to the area furthest from the wall, where the Cemetery is located, the Igreja Paroquial de Évora Monte (Évora Monte Parish Church) ou Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Church of Our Lady of the Conception), rebuilt in the 16th century, and the south door of the wall, the Porta do Freixo (Freixo Door).
If you follow the wall between the south door and the São Sebastião door, you'll find the entrance to the cistern (closed), where the two “wells” on the outside stand out, and the Igreja da Misericórdia (Misericórdia Church), which is supposedly covered in blue tiles in the nave and presbytery, but it is often closed.
There is also a simple door on the east side of the wall (opposite to the São Sebastião Door), called the Porta de S. Brás (São Brás Door), as it faces the Ermida de S. Brás (São Brás Church), which is further away. It is also possible to walk under the wall in this area.
In addition to the four doors mentioned above, there is a fifth exit next to the cistern.
As you walk through the streets, you'll also find the Celeiro Comum (Common Barn), a store selling regional products and handicrafts. This building was created in 1642 with the aim of protecting the farmers. In the area surrounding this building, look at the ground and look for the houses painted on the stones.
Évora Monte, almost 27km from its sister Évora, is a passage we recommend for anyone looking to get to know this region of the Alentejo: it's a beautiful, quiet village where history is to be found at every turn.
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