Páteo de São Miguel

An integral part of the Old Alcácer Mourisco and “Castelo Velho”, it was in the Middle Ages a fundamental point of the city's defensive structure, already performing these functions in the Roman-Visigothic period, a date that dates back to the wall that delimits the enclosure to the east.

After the conquest of the city from the Moors, in 1165, the fortification was delivered by the 1st King D. Afonso Henriques to the Military Order of São Bento de Calatrava, which in the beginning of the 13th century transferred its headquarters to Avis, changing its name to Order of Avis.

With the expansion of the city and the construction of the new wall, the “Castelo Velho” lost its military functions and gained status as a noble and palace area. Its architectural ensemble includes the Paço de São Miguel, the Ermida de São Miguel, the Carriage Collection and the Eugénio de Almeida Archive and Library.

Paço de S. Miguel
Classified as a National Monument, the Paço de São Miguel is one of the most emblematic buildings in Évora, full of memories and enveloped by the mystery of the places created by the slow passage of time and centuries.

A royal palace during the Middle Ages, the building served as an inn for the Kings of Portugal of the first dynasty and as a military base for the Constable D. Nuno Álvares, frontier of the Alentejo.

In the 15th century, it was converted into the headquarters of the Captaincy of Évora, becoming the residence of the powerful Counts of Basto, responsible for ordering the extraordinary set of fresco painting from the 16th century that covers the ceilings of the noble halls, rare examples of profane and mythological theme of this period.

In the following centuries, the Paço de São Miguel went through a dark period in its history, responsible for the middle of the 20th century being in an advanced state of degradation.
In 1957, Vasco Maria Eugénio de Almeida, a prominent philanthropist and patron of the city, restores the Paço de São Miguel and the complex of buildings that completed the complex, where he establishes his residence in Évora and establishes the headquarters of the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation that he created in 1963.

Eugénio de Almeida Archive and Library
The documentation of the Casa Eugénio de Almeida archive and library today allows us to reconstruct the path of one of the most powerful families in Portugal in the 19th century.

The information shows not only those that were the options of the Eugénio de Almeida family in terms of the economic activities they promoted, but also the public intervention they played, in addition to opening a window to the universe of family experiences and lifestyle. of the elite of this period.

Phone: +351 266 748 300

Email: geral@fea.pt / servicoeducativo@fea.pt
Website: http://www.fundacaoeugeniodealmeida.pt/

Paço de S. Miguel
Opening Hours:
October to May on Saturday and Sunday between 3 pm and 6 pm, including visit to the Collection of Carriages and Archive and Library Eugénio de Almeida.
June to September on Saturday and Sunday between 5 pm and 8 pm, including visit to the Collection of Carriages and Archive and Library Eugénio de Almeida.
Guided Tours: By appointment and a minimum of 5 people from Tuesday to Sunday between 10 am and 6 pm. The visit is part of the Eugénio de Almeida Archive and Library.
Price:
Normal Ticket: € 2.00
Guided Tours: € 3.50
Free entrance:
Children under 12;
ICOM, ICOMOS, APOM, AICA members;
Press;
Disabled or disabled people with 1 companion.
Discount (50%):
Over 65 years old;
Students;
Youth Card;
Organized groups of Social Solidarity entities.

Eugénio de Almeida Archives and Library (ABEA)
Opening Hours:
For Documentation Consultation, from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm, by appointment.
Guided Tours: Only guided tours are possible by appointment and integrated into the visit to Paço de São Miguel.
Price:
Guided Tours: € 3.50

Source: http://www.cm-evora.pt