Évora - Day Two

I started my walk this morning from the Praça do Giraldo past some remnants of a Roman wall, which used to surround what is now the inner core of the city. However, most of the wall that currently encircles Évora is from the 14th century. Further on I came across a granite-columned end of the former town's aqueduct from the 16th century followed by the Porta de Donna Isabel, the Roman Arch which was once the main gate in the Roman wall. Remarkably, some of the original Roman pavement stones with their large and irregular shapes were still there. Next was probably the most stunning sight in Évora, the first century AD Roman Temple with its 14 Corinthian columns. I then took a tour of the Museum of Évora with its superb mix of Roman artifacts,  medieval statuary and 16th century Portuguese paintings from the Flemish School. I next visited the X111 century Romanesque Gothic Cathedral, which was erected on the site of a mosque. Inside, halfway down the Nave is a sumptuous Baroque Chapel with a 15th century marble statue of a pregnant Mary. At the time in this region, the Alentejo, there was a deeply felt affinity for fertility. The gorgeous Neoclassical High Altar had a Royal Box to one side. One of the highlights of the visit was climbing the Tower, which led up to the roof. It was quite an experience to wander at will on top of an 800 year old roof peering over the side between its massive battlements. The Cathedral had its own museum displaying ornaments and artifacts used over the centuries. Two which stood out were a sparkling reliquary laden with a thousand gems, diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires and supposedly containing pieces of the True Cross and an intricate French made ivory statue of Mary from the 14th century holding the Infant Jesus, which opened up to reveal scences of Mary's life. Tomorrow I head off to the port of Nazaré, north of Lisbon.