Moura Gate Tower

Category: Military Architecture > Tower

District: Évora > Évora > Évora > São Mamede, Sé, São Pedro e Santo Antão

Location

The historic area of Porta de Moura is located in the city of Évora, a place that profoundly marks its urban landscape. Situated in the zone known as São Mamede, Sé, São Pedro, and Santo Antão, this strategic area, which once housed one of the entrances to the walled city, remains a reference point for understanding ancient Évora and its evolution.

Historical Past

Porta de Moura, an element of which the tower would have been an integral part, has a history rooted in the Roman period. It constituted a crucial crossing point, marking one of the main routes that connected ancient Liberalitas Iulia, Évora's Roman designation, to other important cities like Pax Iulia, today known as Beja. This passage was vital for communication and the flow of people and goods in the city since antiquity.

The Name and Cultural Context

The name "Porta de Moura" has remained unchanged since at least 1286. This designation suggests a connection with the establishment, in its vicinity, of what would have been Évora's first Mouraria (Moorish quarter). This area housed the city's Muslim community after its Christian reconquest, led by Giraldo Sem-Pavor. The name thus serves as an echo of the rich and multifaceted cultural history that shaped Évora over the centuries.

Urban Legacy

From the 14th century onwards, the area surrounding Porta de Moura assumed a prominent role in Évora's urban expansion. It was in this space, located outside the city's primitive wall, that various noble families chose to reside. This concentration of power and influence boosted the city's development, contributing significantly to the definition of Évora's urban growth lines after the Christian Reconquest in 1165, alongside other important squares outside the walls.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt