Largo do Marquês de Marialva

The “Adro da Sé”, the name by which the current Largo was defined in 1541 held, from a toponymic point of view, the same association until 1869. In 1904, the name which it still holds was fixed: Largo do Marquês de Marialva, in honour of D. António Luís de Meneses, captain-general of Alentejo during the Restoration War (1640-1668) and campaigner in the definitive Portuguese victory over the Kingdom of Spain in 1665, in the famous Battle of Montes Claros. A fervent patriot and defender of the Kingdom, it is said that in his will he ordered that his heart be buried at the feet of King D. João IV, sovereign acclaimed in 1640. However, the existence of this square is inseparable from the imposing presence of the Cathedral of Santa Maria. There are monuments in Portugal that, due to their monumental nature, symbolism and extraordinary memorial value, appeal only to contemplation. The Évora Cathedral is certainly one of them. In its main chapel, the armies that would win the Battle of Salado in 1340 blessed themselves. From its terraces, the rise of a new royal dynasty was prepared in 1383. Nuno Álvares Pereira prayed here before facing the armies of D. João de Castile, in 1385. Here, kings were received and honoured, princes were blessed and the voices of literati, humanists and sages were heard. Here the people of Évora took refuge during the French sieges of 1808 and a World Heritage city was established. The Cathedral began construction in 1280 and marks the passage of time, as it is a transitional work, a hybrid structure that allows itself to rise and invade from the shadow of the Romanesque, through the arches and celestial light of the Gothic. Consecrated in 1308, “…this majestic temple is one of the most famous in Portugal for its grandeur, architecture and steadfastness…“. Évora is home to the largest Cathedral in the country.

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Sinais Internacionais / Internacional Signs