Palácio da Inquisição

Palácio da Inquisição in Évora is the former seat of the Holy Office tribunal, now an arts and culture centre. It stands in the historic centre, close to the Sé cathedral and other buildings with a religious past, so it fits naturally into a walk through the UNESCO-listed old town.

What was this place?

The Inquisition was established in Portugal in 1536, and the first tribunal began operating in Évora. Its remit was to watch over the "purity of faith", suppress heresy and police religious behaviour, mainly directed at the Jewish population. The present building served as the tribunal's seat from 1655 to 1821, when the institution was abolished in Portugal.

What does the building look like?

It was designed by Mateus do Couto, chief architect of the kingdom's inquisitions at the time of construction. The plan is a rectangle around an inner courtyard, with wings holding the prison cells, linked by narrow corridors. The layout makes clear that the building worked as both court and jail from the start.

Évora has the best preserved of Portugal's three inquisition buildings; the other tribunals sat in Coimbra and Lisbon. That gives the site particular value for anyone interested in Portuguese history.

What can you see inside?

• The Great Courtroom — a carved chestnut ceiling bearing the emblem of the Holy Office, plus naturalistic blue-and-white azulejo panels.
• The Bailiffs' Room — a wooden ceiling with Baroque ornamental detail.
• Traces of the former prisons — surviving parts of the room layout that recall the building's dark history.

Today: an arts and culture centre

In 2013 the palace was given a new role as an arts and culture centre linked to the Fundação Eugénio de Almeida. It hosts exhibitions and events, including programmes on the building's history and its archaeological remains. A visit combines contemporary art with reflection on a difficult heritage.

Frequently asked questions

Is Palácio da Inquisição a museum? It is now an arts and culture centre where you can also learn about the building's own history.

When did the tribunal operate here? This building housed the Holy Office from 1655 to 1821, while the Inquisition in Évora began work as early as 1536.

Who designed it? Mateus do Couto, chief architect of the kingdom's inquisitions.

What is the highlight? The Great Courtroom with its chestnut ceiling and azulejo panels, and the Baroque Bailiffs' Room.

Is it worth combining with the cathedral? Yes. They are a short walk apart and together show the religious and political history of the city.

Visitor tip

Check opening hours and the current exhibition programme on the foundation's website before you go, as the centre's offer changes through the year.