Elvas is a Portuguese city located in the district of Portalegre in the region of the Alentejo, closely together of the Spanish border. One is to 210 km of Lisbon, and only 20 km of the Spanish city of Badajoz.
Elvas is on a hill to only 8 km of the Guadiana river that constitutes the border between Portugal and Spain. Account with seven bastions and the strengths of Santa Luzia and Nossa Senhora gives Graça. Its delayed gothic cathedral, that shows in addition moriscas reminiscencias, dates from the reign of Manuel I (1495-1521). The city counts on an aqueduct constructed between the years 1498 and 1622 that supplied it of water and that presents/displays a height of up to 40 M.
Powerful strength, reinforced in century XVII, the vast polygon of 4 km of perimeter (whose route can take place in car) interests in the first place in its art and defensive installations made in the classic time: specially the fort of Santa Luzia, occupied today by pousada, the one of Graça (to 3 km to the North), in the heat of desert, and the magnificent aqueduct of Amoreira (approximately of 8 km in length, 800 arcs, 30 m.de altitude in the exit Or of the city), still in good condition. In the heart of the enclosure, that ends at the length (seat) of Mercy, rua of Cadeia (of the Chain) raises towards the historical city passing under the arc do Relogio (Renaissance) to reach the ample seat of Sancho II, dominated by the facade-vestibule of I know it (old cathedral), imposing building with the vaults of the ship and the painted ceiling of the choir in century XVIII, to the baroque taste of the time. The right, a paved street raises towards the lofty and very small length of Santa Clara: , one picota in center manuelina with hooks; it arrives, an arches to mudéjar under gallery, vestige of a wall of century X; down, the church of the Consolation, on octogonal surface and with the covered tile cupola (century XVIII). Happening under the arches, it is acceded to the high city: from the esplanade of the castle and the tower, recovered in the century XIV, ample perspective. Backing down, the old city counts with great amount of churches reconstructed after earthquakes of century XVII and XVIII. The indications with arrows allow to discover them descending towards wall S. arrives then at the seat do School, dominated by the facade of the old school of the Jesuits (remarkable ornamentación of talha dourada, gilded wood coatings) today occupied by the regional museum (closed festive Mondays and): Roman mosaics, orfebrería religious, vasijas of Alentejo, library. Main festejos: 2ª September fortnight, fair of the day gives San Mateo, in the park gives to Piedade (exit Or) and romería with processions to the chapel, accompanied by bullfighting spectacles folkloric and.