PORTUGAL Road Trip: Evora & Sesimbra

February 12, 2018  •  Leave a Comment

Lisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneLisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneLisbon, Portugal - 2016


It's our fourth day in Lisbon and I think we've had our fill of seeing Portugal's capital city's monuments. We've done all the typically touristy things in the city, including the Jerónimos Monastery and Belem Tower, so today it's time for a quick road trip to the Alentejo region. I'm also pretty set on checking out the bone church in Evora to see how it measures up to the one in Kutna Hora (Prague)

 


EVORA


About an hour and half drive from Lisbon, in the heart of the Alentejo region is the well-preserved medieval town of Evora. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is filled with medieval architecture and roots dating back to Roman times. Wander off down side streets and alleys (it's ok to get lost here—we definitely did) to admire the white houses, the tiles and the balconies.

Check out the impressive artistry and craftsmanship of the Roman Temple of Diana,with its fourteen of the eighteen Corinthian columns still intact. Although it's a touch creepy, you can't miss the Capelo dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones) 
 more on that below.

 

A quick stop somewhere along the Alentejo Wine RouteLisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneA quick stop somewhere along the Alentejo Wine Route A quick stop somewhere along the Alentejo Wine Route


So pretty – Alentejo Wine RouteLisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneSo pretty – Alentejo Wine Route So pretty – Alentejo Wine Route


Medieval ramparts of EvoraLisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneMedieval ramparts of Evora Medieval ramparts of Evora


Cobblestone streets of Evora
Lisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneLisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneCobblestone streets of Evora Cobblestone streets of Evora


Roman Temple in Evora Lisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneLisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneRoman Temple in Evora Roman Temple in Evora


Snapshots of Evora Snapshots of Evora


Beautiful alleyways and buildings Beautiful alleyways and buildings


Rooftops of Evora Rooftops of Evora


CAPELA DOS OSSOS


Part of the Royal Church of St. Francis, the Capela dos Ossos was built by Franciscan monks in the 16th centurywith the exhumed skeletons of an estimated 5,000 people. Not as big or impressive as Kutna Hora's Sedluc Ossuary, but just as creepy. Skulls and femur bones are the design elements of choice, which have been painstakingly arranged in patterns that cover the walls and columns of the chapel. Some folks were quite visibly disturbed by the chapel and some were noticeably loud and making jokesbut ossuaries exist all over the world so if you go, be respectful.

 

Lisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneLisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneTime to check out Evora's Capela dos Ossos Time to check out Evora's Capela dos Ossos


Entrance to bone chapel with famous inscription 'We bones that here are, for your await).Lisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneNós ossos que aqui estamos pelos vossos esperamos (We bones that here are, for yours await) Creepy inscription as you enter the Capela dos Ossos (We, the bones that here are, for yours await)


Lisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneLisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneCapela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones) Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones)


Lisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneLisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneThe final resting place of hundreds of bodies The final resting place of thousands of bodies


Lisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneLisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneWalls of human bones and skulls Walls of human bones and skulls


Decorated by monks in the early 16th century


Lisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneLisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneIntricately detailed Intricately detailed 


Lisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneLisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneBeautiful tile work Beautiful tile work


SESIMBRA


Located at the foot of the Parque Natural da Arrábida and inside a gorgeous bay, this picturesque fishing village is only about a 40-minute drive south of Lisbon, which makes it the go-to spot for weekenders from Lisbon (or day-trippers from Lisbon) looking for a quick escape from the city and cute place to relax on the beach, stroll the seaside promenade or eat fantastic fresh fish—which is exactly what we did!

 

Lisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneLisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneStreets of Sesimbra Streets of Sesimbra 


Lisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneLisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneStreets of Sesimbra Laundry day in Sesimbra 


Lisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneLisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneLove old facades like this Love old facades like this


Lisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneLisbon, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneWhich way next? Which way next?


Colourful pieces of art everywhere you lookColourful pieces of art everywhere you look Colourful pieces of art everywhere you look


Kind of have a thing for old doors and knobs Kind of have a thing for old doors and knobs


As with pretty much any coastal town in Portugal, there's a decent beach to chill on (if you can find a spot) As with pretty much any coastal town in Portugal, there's a decent beach to chill on (if you can find a spot)


Again, the joys of a coastal town....fresh fish, all the timeAgain, the joys of a coastal town....fresh fish, all the time Again, the joys of a coastal town....fresh fish, all the time


Photos taken | written by JENNIFER MAHON


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