Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications
Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications, Military fortification complex in Alentejo, Portugal
The fortifications of Elvas include twelve forts arranged in an irregular polygon formation, utilizing the surrounding hills for strategic defense purposes.
The fortress played a critical role in securing Portuguese independence during the War of Restoration between 1641 and 1668 against Spanish forces.
The military architecture combines Dutch engineering principles with Portuguese construction methods, creating a sophisticated defense system with geometric patterns.
The Amoreira Aqueduct stretches 7 kilometers and supplied water to the garrison during long sieges through its four-tiered structure reaching 40 meters high.
The complex represents the largest bulwarked dry-ditch system in the world, with extensive military buildings adapted from former churches and monasteries.
Location: Caia, São Pedro e Alcáçova
GPS coordinates: 38.88056,-7.16333
Latest update: May 17, 2025 20:02
Castle of Elvas
335 m
Praça-forte de Elvas
7 m
Muralhas de Elvas
183 m
Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral, Elvas
69 m
Igreja de São Domingos (Elvas)
322 m
Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Elvas
144 m
Igreja de São Pedro
289 m
Hotel São João de Deus
340 m
Edifício do Conselho de Guerra de Elvas
218 m
Fonte de São Lourenço (Elvas)
109 m
Fonte da Misericórdia
299 m
Casa da Cultura
49 m
Câmara Municipal de Elvas
75 m
Arco do Dr. Santa Clara
168 m
Mosteiro de São Paulo
344 m
Jardim Militar
373 m
Fonte de São Vicente
107 m
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição
228 m
Pelourinho de Elvas
161 m
Fonte de Santa Mónica
332 m
Passos da Via Sacra (cinco), também denominados «capela da Rua de Alcamim», «capela da Rua de Olivença», «capela do Largo da Misericórdia», «capela do Largo São João de Deus», primitivamente na Rua da Cadeia, e «capela da Rua de André Gonçalves»
93 m
Museu de Arte Sacra (Elvas)
129 m
Fonte dos Cavaleiros (Elvas)
353 m
Cisterna de Elvas
357 m
Historic centre of Elvas
7 m
Igreja de São Martinho (Elvas)
219 m
Capela de São João da Corujeira
321 m
Assento de Elvas
268 mReviews
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