Templo de Diana, Évora

Templo de Diana - Évora visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Templo de Diana' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Distrito Évora.

The Temple of Diana (Templo de Diana) is a major tourist attraction of Évora in Portugal. The remains of this Roman temple stand in the middle of the city and have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is commonly referred to as the 'Roman Temple of Évora'.

The temple was built in around the 1st century in what was then known as Liberatias Iulia. There is no evidence of it being associated with Diana, this being a conjecture formed in the 17th century by a Portuguese priest. It is more likely that, standing in the middle of the old forum, the temple was associated with Jupiter, or dedicated to the Emperor Augustus.

The Roman temple was destroyed in the 5th century by invading 5th century. During the middle ages, some of the ruins were incorporated into Évora Castle. The remains were used as an abattoir until 1870, and also as an execution site during the Inquisition.

Visitors today can see 14 of the original granite Corinthian columns, topped by decorated marble capitals from Estremoz. It is thought that originally the temple was surrounded by a water basin. The original stairs ascending into the temple have been destroyed. Nearby is the medieval facade of São João Evangelista and a garden with a view of the Roman aqueduct and the surrounding countryside.

Posto de Turismo de Évora
Endereço: Praça do Giraldo, 73
Telefone: 266777071
Fax: 266732075
Email: cmevora.dpt@mail.evora.net

Flight: Lisbon International Airport (LIS).
Road: A2, A6, N 114 is about 135km from Lisbon.