It’s raining arrows
Paço de São Miguel
The Paço de São Miguel (Palace of Saint Michael) stands on the city’s highest point. First fortified by the Moors, it became the seat of the Christian rulers who captured the city in 1166. After that, many kings of Portugal added their personal touch to the compound, which grew as a series of buildings and courtyards. In 1383, King Fernando I (called the Handsome) died, leaving behind only a daughter. His wife, Leonor Telles, attempted to govern, but nobles and commoners rejected her claim because they did not like her (primarily because of her divorce to marry Fernando). The people revolted and besieged Leonor in Paço de São Miguel, raining arrows on the defenders from the Roman temple and the cathedral. However, the palace only fell when the besiegers threatened to execute the relatives of the defenders. The construction of new city walls and the arrival of artillery rendered the old walls of Saint Michael obsolete.
As seen on
Évora: the royal city of Portugal
Click shuffle to discover more great stories.
©2025 All rights reserved.