World Heritage Photos

The Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications represent the largest bulwarked dry-ditch system in the world. Elvas is situated in the far east of Portugal, close to the border with Spain and about 200 km from Lisbon. Elvas was strongly fortified from the 17th to the 19th centuries. The fortification of Elvas started during the Portuguese Restoration War (1640-1668), a war between Portugal and Spain, after this war, Portugal gained back the independence from Spain. Elvas is surrounded by seven bastions and two star fortresses, the Santa Luzia Fortres and the Forte Nossa Senhora da Graça, the Fortress Our Lady of Grace. The fortifications of the town played a major role in the Battle of the Lines of Elvas in 1659, the battle ended in a decisive Portuguese victory. Important monuments in the town are Elvas Castle, Elvas Cathedral, the Church of the Dominican Nuns, built on the site of an earlier Templar church and a medieval pillory. A real eye catcher in Elvas is the 16th century Amoreira Aqueduct. The Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications gained the status as a UNESCO World Heritage in 2012.

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   The Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications represent the largest bulwarked dry-ditch system in the world. Elvas is a Portuguese town situated about 200 km east from Lisbon. The Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications gained the status as a UNESCO World Heritage in 2012.

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   Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications: The medieval pillory is one of the symbolic monuments of the historic town of Elvas. The Manueline style pillory is covered with numerous carved hemispheres, it stands on a polygonal shaped base. Minor lawbreakers were tied up to the column for public punishment.

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   Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications: The Outer Corner Gate of the Esquina. The Esquina (Corner) consists of an inner and outer gate. Elvas is situated in the far east of Portugal, near the border with Spain. The town of Elvas was strongly fortified from the 17th to the 19th centuries and also several fortresses were built in the immediate vicinity of the town.

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   Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications: The Chapel of Our Lady of Conception is situated on top of the Inner Corner Gate of the Esquina, the gate is topped with a white cross. The Paiol de Nuestra Senhora de Conceição is situated behind the gate, the circular building was protected by a corridor and four slender towers. It was used to store military munitions.

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   Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications: A classic Mini in front of Elvas Castle, the castle is a medieval fortification and part of the fortifications of Elvas. The castle is situated at the highest point of the border town of Elvas, Elvas Castle was purely built for the purpose of military defense, it survived many sieges and battles during its long and tumultuous history.

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   Fortifications of the Garrison Border Town of Elvas: The Forte Nossa Senhora da Graça, the Fortress Our Lady of Grace, is a stronghold about one km north of Elvas, close to the border with Spain. In 1763, the Portuguese King Joseph I ordered the construction of the fortress on Mount Grace, the highest point in the region around the border town of Elvas.

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   Fortifications of the Garrison Border Town of Elvas: A view of Elvas and the fortifications of the Fortress Our Lady of Grace from the balcony of the Governor's House. The fortress is a true masterpiece of 18th century military European architecture. Due to its location at over 1000 metrres above Elvas, it was of great strategic importance as a buffer against Spanish attacks.

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   Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications: The small redoubt in the centre of Santa Luzia Fortress, where the former Governor's House, the church and a bomb-proof cellar are situated. Two cisterns could supply three to four hundred soldiers with water for two to three months. The Santa Luzia Fortress was built in the 17th century.

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   Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications: The Church of the Dominican Nuns in Elvas was once part of a convent. The church was built in 1557 on the site of an earlier church of the Knights Templar. The church has an octagonal shape. The walls, pillars and octagonal ceiling are covered by 17th century patterned azulejos. The church has a Baroque façade.

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    Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications: The 16th century Amoreira Aqueduct. It took more than 120 years to build the aqueduct, it was finished in 1622. Some arches are over thirty metres high. The Amoreira Aqueduct is 7,5 km long. For centuries, the aqueduct delivered water to Elvas. Nowadays, it still delivers water to the fountain in the Largo da Misericórdia.