Évora Travel Forum

http://members.virtualtourist.com/vt/s/?m=2&h.q=46595

Hi! In Evora I saw this wall tablet with a cross and two chopped arms: http://www.flickr.com/photos/63774505@N00/3007140523. Does anyone know what this symbol means and on what kind of building it was?
(It probably was in the Rua Serpa Pinto.)

Thanks!

i´m not totally sure about it, but if i remember right then it´s sitting over the door to the house where the inquisition took place in evora.

Is it this one? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Inquisition

A very good suggestion, that it has something to do with the Inquisition. I was not aware that the Inquisition had a tribunal in Evora, but you are right. However, the seal on the wall tablet is not identical to the normal seal of the Inquisition: two chopped(?) arms instead of the branch and the sword.

yes you guys are right there.
now that i think of it then it is a branch and a sword that is the sign above that door.

should you be interested in seeing that place then it is right next to the cathedral in evora on your right as you exit the cathedral.

Your link to the normal seal of the Spanish Inquisition depicts the cross, the branch and the sword. In Evora they knew this normal seal as well, see http://www.flickr.com/photos/24914426@N06/3005281474. My photo shows a different seal, the branch and the sword have been replaced by two chopped(?) arms. As there are similarities, some relation with the Inquisition is likely. Although the seals are comparable, they are not identical.

No. The inquisition was, in Évora, near the cathdral. There it is the Tribunal and the house of the "Inquisidor-Mor". The photo is the Santa Clara Chuch, and I think it is symbol of the femail branch of Franciscans order.

No. The inquisition was, in Évora, near the cathdral. There it is the Tribunal and the house of the "Inquisidor-Mor". The photo is the Santa Clara Chuch, and I think it is symbol of the femail branch of Franciscans order.

No. The inquisition was, in Évora, near the cathedral. There it is the Tribunal and the house of the "Inquisidor-Mor" – Inquisitor Chief. The photo is the Santa Clara Church, and I think it is symbol of the female branch of Franciscans order.

Thanks Manolodiaz, now I see.
BTW, I read that the seal is not specific for the female branch, it is the seal for all Fransiscans.

indeed. The Franciscan symbol of the crossed arms depicts the arms of Jesus and Francis normally crossed over the Tau, both arms bearing the imprint of the Crucifixion nails. Francis' arm is enclosed in the sleeve of his habit.