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Elvas Accommodation
Elvas Guest & Manor Houses
Elvas Hotels
Elvas Inns
Elvas Accommodation - Pousadas
Pousada Santa Luzia
Elvas Entertainment
Elvas - Restaurants
Elvas - What to Do
Elvas Guest Book
Elvas Forum
Elvas Wines
Alentejo Wines
Elvas - History
The city of Elvas is located near the border between Portugal and
Spain and is on the main highway between Lisbon and Madrid. The town is
believed to have been originally developed as a location by the Romans and
it has suffered many conflicts in its history. It was liberated from the
occupying Moors in 1229 and since that date in a period of some 600 years,
it suffered numerous attacks and was the subject of peace treaties between
the neighbouring Spain. During the War of Independence between the two
countries (1640-1668), the battle of Linhas de Elvas in 1659 was
notable for the decisive defeat of the invading Spanish who had besieged
the Portuguese army in the town and was then successfully relieved by
Portuguese troops from Estremoz. In its more recent history its
claim to fame was when it was used by the Duke of Wellington as
his headquarters in his siege of the neighbouring Spanish town of Badajoz.
Elvas - Description
There are two main impressive visual sights linked to this city. Firstly,
the well-preserved 17th Century fortifications of Fort de Santa Luzia
to the north of the old town, and secondly, the impressive Auqueduto de
Amoreira. The first was designed on the principles of the French
architect Marquis de Vauban. The old town was completely surrounded
by a series of strong walls that strategically provide protection from most
angles of possible attack. The Aqueduct is older in origin as the need to
supplement the original town’s water supply was already acute even in the
15th Century. Work was started in 1498 and for various reasons it took over
124 years to complete this 8 kilometres long construction with 843 arches
that in some places reaches 30 metres in height.
The same architect also designed the Cathedral Nossa Senhora da Assunção
that has been since remodelled several times. The origin of the castle within
the old town is remote but it recorded as being rebuilt in 1226 and later
subject to further alterations and enlargement during the following centuries.
The plain exterior of the Church of Nossa Senhora dos Aflitos hides the
fact that it was originally a Templar church. The interior is lined with 17th
Century tiles that reach into the cupola. Close by is a Manueline Pillory with
its hooks as a morbid reminder of punishment in older times. Located within
the bastion of São João da Carujeiro on the eastern wall of the castle
is perhaps the oldest British military cemetery in Europe. Plaques record the
death of soldiers from British Regiments that occurred during the Battle of
Albuhera in 1811.
The surrounding area is famed for its production of quality plums which are
then conserved in a honey mixture.
Elvas - Nearby Locations
To the northeast of Elvas is the country town of Campo Maior
whose name is by legend based on three families that made their home in the
“bigger field (campo maior)”. It past history is rather tragic as in
1732 the stored gunpowder in the castle was struck by lightning and it
virtually destroyed most of the standing buildings and with it some 1,500
people. The morbid Chapel Capelo dos Ossos that is entirely faced
with human bones dates from 1766 as a permanent reminder of this dreadful
event. The town later came to prominence during the French invasion when
Lord Beresford led an Anglo-Portuguese attack on the occupying French
troops. They were quickly defeated and the King of Portugal granted the
title of “Marquis de Campo Maior” to Beresford. In contrast
to their sad history, the inhabitants of the town in September of each year
celebrate with a very joyful “Festa” by covering the narrow streets
with a roof made up of thousands of paper flowers under which they hold
daily parades and dancing. Each street organizes its own decoration under
great secrecy, as the event is considered very competitive with prizes to
be won. During the “Festa” many thousands of visitors travel from
far and wide to visit the event, particularly from neighbouring Spain.
Further to the north and nearer to the Spanish border is the small
fortified town of Ouguela. History records a romantic defence of
this town when in the Battle of Toro the decision of who was to be the
owner of the castle was decided by a fight between the two opposing
leaders in a fateful duel in which both died from wounds. Later in 1762
Brás de Carvalho also defeated the Spanish with a heroic defence of
the town. To the north of Elvas are the towns of Arronches
and Monteforte, both rich in history and worth visiting. To the
south of Elvas on the River Guadiana is the small village of
Juromenha that was once a reasonably large fortified garrison.
Within the standing walls there is nothing left but ruins to testify to the
one-time importance of this fortification. There is a legend that the name
of the place has been taken from the sister of the local Lord who felt so
disgraced by his sister’s amorous involvements he locked her in the main
tower of the castle until she went mad and eventually died.
Elvas Photos
Church
· Square
· River Guadiana
· Juramenha Castle
· Crusader Tomb
· Typical Fortified Town
· Small Village
· View of Elvas
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Elvas Events |
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| Town Holiday |
14th January |
| Festas do Povo do Campo Maior |
September (4 year intervals - next 2008) |
| Festa do Senhor da Boa Fé |
1st- 4th September |
| Feira de S. Mateus |
20th-25th September |
| Market Day |
Every second week of the month
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Alentejo Towns
Beja
· Castelo de Vide
· Estremoz
· Évora
· Monsaraz
· Portalegre
· Santarém
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Elvas Telephone Numbers
7350
