The supposed tomb of Vasco da Gama (1460-1524) housed in the cathedral of the Monastery of Jeronimos in the BelDistrict outside of Lisbon. Sept. 11, 2013

The beautiful laced architecture of the cloisters at the Monastery of Jeronimos in the Belem District outside of Lisbon. Sept. 11, 2013

Interior of the Monastery of Jeronimos’ cathedral’s main chapel in the Belem District outside of Lisbon. Sept. 11, 2013

King Manual, who ruled from 1495, erected the Monastery of Jeronimos, across from the Belem Tower and The Monument to the Discoveries, stretches along the Lisbon waterfront. A tomb for Vasco da Gama (1460- 1524) is housed in the cathedral even though his remains in the tomb are questionable. The beautiful laced architecture of the cloisters were also rather dazzling. Sept. 11, 2013

An open air store along one of Evora’s narrow streets of Moorish origins, sells various carved cork ornaments. The bark of the cork tree is peeled without destroying the tree and it grows back within nine years, ready to be harvested again. Portugal is the world’s leading manufacturer of cork and represents 53% of world production. Sept. 12, 2013

The Roman Temple of Evora, also known as the Temple of Diana, the ancient Roman goddess of the moon, the hunt, and chastity. The temple is believed to have been constructed around the first century A.D. Sept. 12, 2013

The gorgeous interior of the Santa Maria de Evora gothic cathedral built in the late 12th century. Sept. 12, 2013

The Chapel of Bones, which was built in the 16th century by a Franciscan monk, has the interior of its walls covered with human skulls and bones. The monk wanted to transmit the message of life being transitory. This saying is clearly written at the entrance of the chapel: “We, the bones that are here, await yours.” Sept. 12, 2013

We left Lisbon and headed east to the Alentejo countryside and the old town of Evora which is contained within a medieval wall. The major sights include this main square from the first century A.D.; the Roman Temple, part of a Roman forum, the gothic cathedral of Santa Maria de Evora built in the late 12th century and the Chapel of Bones. Sept. 12, 2013

The cache of Santa Maria de Evora built in the late 12th century. Sept. 12, 2013