The largest mediaeval church
Cathedral of Évora
The cathedral of Évora (Basílica Sé de Nossa Senhora da Assunção or simply Sé de Évora) was built between 1186 and 1204 to celebrate the expulsion of the Arabs in 1166. It was significantly enlarged between 1280 and 1340. The cathedral is located on the city’s highest point. It is the largest medieval church in Portugal and an exquisite example of Gothic architecture. The two towers flanking the main portal were added in the 16th century and had distinctly different conical spires (medieval coloured tiles cover the left spire). Six turrets surround the lantern tower above the junction of the four arms of the cross-shaped church. Each turret is a copy of the lantern tower. The cathedral is also famous for the pink/orange hue covering the stones of the inner walls. The origin of the colour is unclear, but its effect is spellbinding.
As seen on
Évora: the royal city of Portugal