We were on the road to Evora yesterday morning quite early, as we wanted to have plenty of time to explore. Our first stop was to see the megaliths of Almendres. We drove several miles on a dirt road, through cork trees and cattle pastures, then walked the final 200+ meters to see one of the largest existing group of structured menhirs in Europe. We had the place to ourselves! It was impressive with over 100 standing stones in a circular pattern, high on a hill, believed to have been
structured between 6000 and 3000 BC.
Our next stop was the city of Evora, where we had stayed 23 years ago, on a holiday trip
with our girls. The old part of the city of Evora is a UNESCO world heritage site, surrounded
by medieval walls, with its Roman Temple in the center, a six mile long aqueduct, numerous churches, and the beautiful Loios Convent, now a Pousada.
We took a roundabout way to get back to our Pousada in Alcacer do Sal, stopping at the Pousada de Arraiolos. When we arrived, we were greeted at the reception desk and given information about the property, built as a convent. One of the employees at the Pousada opened the door to the chapel and invited us in. Amazing! The chapel was constructed in the 1500's, with the interior covered in azulejos. It was absolutely beautiful! We loved every minute of having it to ourselves!
