Temple+of+Diana

Romans in Portugal? Something sounds funny about that, but it's true. In the middle of Evora, the Temple of Diana lies. We may know her better as her Greek name, Artemis. She was the goddess of the moon and hunting. There is some conflict about who the temple was created for, but this seems a side note at best.

This Roman temple was created in the 2nd century A.D. This is one of the best preserved Roman monuments in Portugal. Today, 14 of the 18 pillars are original! Evora was once an important Roman military center. Quintus Sertorius, a Roman commander, used Evora as a headquarters through 80 BC to 72 BC. It no longer is an important Roman military center today and hasn't been since the Visigoths invaded.

The temple has served as a slaughter house and even a tower within Evora's castle. The temple has survived many attempts to destroy it. The people of Evora have always thought of the temple as a unique part of their city. Whether the Roman's created it for Diana or Jupiter, it still remains a lasting finger print of the Romans reach. Today, it remains as a really old monument for people to see and it makes Evora unique among Portuguese cities.