Miradouro do Jardim Diana, Evora, Guia do visitante e o que fazer por perto

Miradouro do Jardim Diana is a small public garden and viewpoint in Évora, Portugal, set beside the city's Roman temple. It is a quiet, breezy place to pause, look out over the surrounding rooftops and countryside, and learn how the city remembers its past.

The story behind it

The garden takes its name from the neighbouring Roman temple, traditionally called the Temple of Diana. In the middle of the garden stands a monument with a bust of Dr. Francisco Barahona, remembered in Évora as one of the city's benefactors. The monument is a tribute to his devotion to the town.

The garden also offers a way into the city's coat of arms, which shows the knight Geraldo the Fearless (Geraldo Sem Pavor) on horseback, a sword in one hand and two severed Moorish heads in the other. It recalls the tradition that he won Évora back from Moorish rule in the 12th century. It is a stark image, and a reminder that Évora's story is one of conquest as well as of Roman and medieval grandeur.

What to look for

• The bust of Dr. Francisco Barahona at the centre of the garden, and the sculpted figure on the monument that stands for the city's affection for him.
• The panoramic view from the edge of the garden, which looks out over the surrounding rooftops and the countryside beyond.
• The Roman temple right next door, whose columns make a striking backdrop to the garden.
• The knight in Évora's coat of arms, which you can compare with the story of Geraldo the Fearless as you walk through the old town.

Tips for your visit

• Allow 15 to 30 minutes for the garden itself, longer if you want to sit and enjoy the view.
• Visit in the late afternoon or on a hot day, when the shade and the breeze make it a welcome rest.
• It is an open public garden, so you can wander in freely, but check current opening hours for the nearby monuments.
• The Roman temple and the old town's streets are a short walk away, so combine them in one outing.

See it on a quest

The quest Highlights of Evora: From Celtics to Romans passes this garden as one stop on a longer walk through the area. You reach each place on foot, the app tells you about it as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle based on what is in front of you. It suits a visitor who wants the Roman and earlier layers of the city explained, with no guide and no group to join. One ticket covers the whole group.