The University of Evora was the second university to be established in Portugal. After the founding of the University of Coimbra in 1537, it has been felt the need for another university to serve the South. Évora, ecclesiastical metropolis and temporary residence of the Court, emerged immediately as the most suitable city. Évora, ecclesiastical metropolis and temporary residence of the Court, emerged immediately as the most suitable city. Although the original idea of ​​creating the second university in the Kingdom, has belonged to John III, fell to Cardinal D. Henrique their achievement. Interested in educational issues, she began by founding the College of the Holy Spirit, entrusting him to the then newly founded Society of Jesus. Although the works of the building stemmed and has asked Cardinal of Rome transformation of the College in full University. With the approval of Pope Paul IV, expressed in the bull Cum nobis April 1559, the new university was created, with the right to teach all subjects except medicine, the civil law and the contentious part of Canon Law.