Also known as Palácio de Dom Manuel, the Palace was initially built, in the thirteenth century, to perform religious and conventual functions and was then transformed into a royal residence in the fourteenth century. The Royal Palace of Évora, capital of the Portuguese region of Alentejo, was one of the symbolic buildings of the Portuguese Renaissance, attended by courtiers, artists and navigators such as Vasco da Gama. During the period of what can be called the cultural and political golden age of Évora the palace was subject to continuous renovations with the addition and modification of rooms, testifying to an infinite work of art and for long time in the making.