Universidade de Evora (University of Evora), Evora

The University of Évora holds a remarkable legacy as the second oldest university in the country. Its establishment in 1559 by Cardinal Henry, who would later become the king of Portugal, along with the approval of Pope Paul IV, conferred the institution with university status. It's a testament to its enduring significance that this historical moment is chronicled in the papal bull Cum a nobis.

The university's early years were shaped under the patronage of the Society of Jesus, more commonly known as the Jesuits. This affiliation with the Jesuits played a pivotal role in both the university's rise to scholarly prominence and its eventual trials during the Marquis of Pombal's Jesuit suppression. The Marquis of Pombal's decree led to the university's closure in 1779, accompanied by the imprisonment or exile of its faculty members.

However, the spirit of education persisted, and after almost two centuries, the university was revitalized in 1973 as the Instituto Universitário de Évora (University Institute of Évora). This rejuvenation was orchestrated by José Veiga Simão, the Minister of Education at the time, as part of broader educational reforms aimed at reshaping higher education in Portugal. By 1979, the institution reclaimed its original name, Universidade de Évora, marking the culmination of its resurrection.

The university's historic significance is not only rooted in its age but also in its rich academic contributions. The Colégio do Espírito Santo, the university's historical college, flourished as a center of learning and scholarly excellence, rivaling even the famed University of Coimbra. The institution nurtured a cadre of eminent theologians, philosophers, and thinkers, including figures like Luis de Molina, Pedro de Fonseca, St. Francisco de Borja, St. João de Brito, and Manuel Álvares.