Cultural places in Portugal

Castle • Elvas, Portalegre

At the highest point of Elvas, the Castle dominates the border city and sums up centuries of defence of Portuguese territory. The fortification stands on a Muslim structure, was rebuilt after the definitive conquest of Elvas in 1226 and completed in 1228, during the reign of King Sancho II. In the following centuries it received extensions and adaptations, including interventions associated with King Dinis, King João II and King Manuel I, until it acquired, in the 16th century, much of the appearance recognised today. It was the residence of the town governor and the setting for events linked to diplomacy and royal life, such as peace treaties, exchanges of princesses and royal wedding banquets. Without a military function from the second half of the 19th century, it reached the 20th century in ruins before being valued as heritage. Classified in 1906, it is described by the municipality as the first Portuguese National Monument. It forms part of the Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications, inscribed by UNESCO in 2012.

Fort • Elvas, Portalegre

On Monte de Nossa Senhora da Graça, north of Elvas, the Fort of Nossa Senhora da Graça rises on one of the most strategic points in the region. The site had already shown its importance during the siege of 1658-1659 and became decisive again in the Seven Years’ War. In 1763, King José I ordered the construction of a fortress there to complete the city’s defence, with planning associated with Wilhelm, Count of Schaumburg-Lippe. The works continued until 1792. The fort is organised in successive defensive lines, with outer works, dry moats, bastions, ravelins and a central redoubt with an octagonal plan. This core contains the chapel, the Governor’s House and, beneath the chapel, a cistern. Also known as the Fort of Lippe, it was classified as a National Monument in 1910 and has formed part, since 2012, of the Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.