Évora: a Portuguese city with a chapel of human bones and a Roman temple.

According to The Sun: I often travel to Lisbon, but until recently I had not heard of its medieval neighbor located just an hour away by train.

As soon as I arrived, I was immediately struck by the cobbled streets and white buildings with their distinctive yellow trim.

Welcome to Évora, the capital of the Alentejo region in Portugal and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This stunning city is a must-visit if you are interested in Portugal's winemaking heritage and is also famous for its cultural atmosphere.

Recently, Évora has gained the status of European Capital of Culture for 2027 and is often referred to as a 'living museum' because of its ancient architecture.

The Chapel of Bones

A striking example of this is the Chapel of Bones — Capela dos Ossos. From the outside, it looks like an ordinary Gothic chapel — beautiful but unremarkable.

However, inside, it is a completely different story. The walls and tall columns are adorned with bones and skulls from 5,000 human skeletons.

According to legend, they were excavated from a nearby graveyard.

‘It is undoubtedly a gruesome sight, but the intent behind this work of art is a little less terrifying — it is meant to remind us of the fragility of life and our mortality.’

The Roman Temple

Just a ten-minute walk from the chapel, you will reach the Roman temple of Évora, one of the best-preserved ruins dating back to the 1st century AD. Its 14 granite Corinthian columns are a must-see for history lovers.

Locals recommend visiting the temple during the day and then again at night when it is illuminated, creating a stunning picture for photographs.

It is not just the historical landmarks that make this city culturally rich.

The Alentejo region in southern-central Portugal, where Évora is located, is often called 'the Tuscany of Portugal' due to its vast wine production.

Taste Portuguese Tapas

Here, thanks to the abundance of sunny days and variety of soils, winemaking has a long history dating back to Roman times.

To sample various wines of Alentejo, visit the Alentejo Wine Route Center located near the Roman temple. Be sure to try Pêra-Manca, a red wine characteristic of this region.

For a cozy evening, drop by Botequim da Mouraria, a small tavern run by a husband and wife. Here you can enjoy petiscos (the Portuguese equivalent of tapas) along with drinks — I highly recommend the black pork (porco preto) and aged sheep cheese.

Don’t forget to make a reservation since there are only ten seats.

If you’re looking for something more substantial, don’t miss the set menu at Taberna Típica Quarta-feira, which changes regularly.

Here you can try beef cheek steak or farinheira à Brás, a smoked sausage prepared with eggs and potato chips.

Fortunately, I had a comfortable bed to return to after all these delights.

I stayed with a friend who lives in Évora, but I heard that the 15th-century convent converted into the five-star hotel Convento do Espinheiro is the perfect place for a luxurious stay, with prices starting from €169 per night.

And for a more budget-friendly option, Hotel Dom Fernando is suitable — it also has a pool.

On my last day, I decided to buy a souvenir and went to Rua 5 de Outubro, where you can find many crafts.

This street is perfect for purchasing cork products (another local specialty), including coasters and napkin holders.

I even found cork jewelry and bags for sale. I wonder how many bottles of wine they can hold?

Évora is a place where history, culture, and gastronomic delights come together. This ancient part of Portugal is worth visiting not only for history buffs but also for anyone who appreciates good food and unique experiences. If you haven’t been here yet, it’s worth planning a trip to discover all the richness of this region.