Elvas

Elvas is a city in Portugal located in the locale of Portalegre in the region of Alentejo. The city is positioned 15 km west of the Spanish stronghold of Badajoz about 200 km west of Lisbon and on the Northwest of River Guadiana. Elvas is protected by seven bastions together with Santa Luzzia and Nossa Senhora forts. The city is a popular tourist destination mostly due to its historical make up and its hang out joints.

The city’s history can be traced back to the 13^th century when Elvas Castle was reconstructed for King Sanco III in 1226. The Gothic Cathedral is believed to have been created during the reign of Manuel I of Portugal way back in the 15^th century. The city was later fought for by different colonial sides from the 15^th century until in 1642 when it was made the chief frontier fortress of the south of Tagus.

Different transportation routes can be used to get to the town for those going to Elvas. Air transportation is possible but one has to use different channels in order to complete the journey. The most accessible means is road transportation where one travels by a bus or a car or train transportation. Traveling to the interior can be easily achieved by a bus or one may choose to hire a vehicle.

There are many interesting places to visit in Elvas mostly because it is very close to Badajoz in Spain and has been fortified a couple of times over the years. The city has been fortified during the Portugal and Spain conflict and during the Moors and Christian conflict thus it filled with remarkable century old building and materials. A good place to visit is the 16^th century Church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção built with stylish decorations. There is also an octagon church called the Church of Nossa Senhora da Consolação that was designed in the 17^th century.

Artifacts such as the Elvas Santa Clara is an amazing 16^th century square pillar finely comprised with a pillory with four metal hooks in which prisoners were confined. There is also an archway that was built in the 10^th century that leads to the destroyed castle in Elvas. The Municipal Museum is the place to find local treasures such as Roman Mosaics, old weapons, Neolithic remnants and old religious paintings. A walk outside the city walls is where the city’s most famous site is located, The Towering Amoreira Aqueduct which took over a hundred years to complete. Elvas City is one of those place that used to be for scramble way back in the past hence it explains why it has remarkable sites and a great past history.