Holidays to Elvas

The old city still stands completely within the fortified walls and is a maze of narrow, winding streets, whitewashed houses and small squares.  Built on the side of a hill, Elvas takes a little energy to explore.  But, this town is spectacular; from the stunning mid sixteenth century Neoclassical 4 arch Aqueduct of Armoreira to the hilltop Moorish Castle from which there are panoramic views across wheat fields and the holme and cork oaks that flourish in this unique landscape.  Churches abound and especially magnificent are the Churches of Our Lady of the Assumption, that of the Third Order of St Francis and the Church of the Dominican Nuns.

After the fall of Rome, Elvas fell to the Moors until 1229 when it was taken back by Dom Sancho II.  Spain was the traditional enemy and it was the Duke of Braganca in 1637 who took Elvas back from Spain and initiated the building of the fortifications which made the town virtually impregnable.  Its success was based on the remarkable defensive properties of the unique star shaped forts of Santa Luzia and Graça.

Elvas is still virtually unknown to the British visitor as it is just a little too far to the east of better known Alentejo towns like Evora.  This is about to change because this city has it all and is ideally located for two centre fly-drive holidays combining the Alentejo in Portugal and  Extremadura in Spain - specifically the Spanish towns of Mérida, Cáceres and Trujillo.