Forte de Nossa Senhora da Graça — Attraction in Elvas

The "Fort of Nossa Senhora da Graça", also referred to as "Fort da Graça" or "Fort Conde de Lippe", is located in the parish of Alcáçova, about a kilometer north of the city of Elvas, municipality of the same name , Portalegre district, in Portugal.

In a dominant position over Monte da Senhora da Graça, it was part of the defense of the Elvas square, which it complemented.

It is currently part of the "Fronteiriça and Garrison City of Elvas and its Fortifications" complex, classified as World Heritage by UNESCO since June 30, 2012.

Features

An example of modern military architecture, it is considered a masterpiece both for the originality of the solutions presented there, and for its monumentality.

At a height of 404 meters above sea level, it is composed of three distinct defensive, interdependent lines, separated by deep moats: the Reduto, Magistral and exterior works.

The structure, of a quadrangular plan with one hundred and fifty meters on the side, is completed by pentagonal bastions at the vertices (from the SO bastion, clockwise, invoked respectively by Santo Amaro, Malefa, Badajoz and Cidade). Four small revelins cover the curtains, in the middle of which insert the monumental gate (Porta do Dragão) and three poternas. Over the main gate, there is the coat of arms of Portugal and an evocative plaque of the visit of D. José I in the year 1756, in the company of the marquis of Pombal and the count of Lippe.

The central body of the square has a high, circular plan, with two vaulted floors:

the lower cruciform planimetry, with a chapel in one of the smaller arms, next to the doors leading to the Palace. There are four elliptical tribunes that could be transformed into gunboats to defend the four doors that give access to the chapel and the Redoubt. Below the chapel, excavated in the living rock, a cistern is one of his most notable works.

the superior, in the Governor's House. Here, the central room on the 4th floor has murals of historical evocation, with portraits of Count de Lippe and Colonel Valleré; the central room on the 5th floor is all white, with neoclassical decoration in mass works.

Externally, the structure is completed by a hornaveque with its revelim and poterna, and by a dry moat, ten...

A Panoramic Marvel with Room for Improvement at Forte da Graça:

Perched majestically above Elvas, the Forte da Graça commands an impressive location, offering breathtaking panoramic views that sweep across the entire town and the vast valley beyond. From its ramparts, you truly grasp the strategic importance of this UNESCO World Heritage site, feeling the echoes of its formidable past. The sheer scale and intricate design of the fort are a testament to 18th-century military engineering, making it a compelling visit for anyone interested in history and grand fortifications. However, while the exterior and the overall experience of exploring the fort's defenses are undeniably captivating, one particular aspect left a notable disappointment: the Governor's House. Given its dominant height and central position within the fort, it has all the makings of being the "jewel of the castle." Sadly, it stands largely bare, with nothing left or displayed inside. This feels like a missed opportunity to truly bring the fort's history to life. One can only imagine the stories and artifacts that could fill this significant space, transforming it from an empty shell into a vivid portal to the past. Despite this shortfall, the sheer grandeur of Forte da Graça, its stunning vistas, and the opportunity to walk through such a significant piece of Portuguese history make it a highly worthwhile visit. Just manage your expectations for the Governor's House, and prepare to be awed by the fort's commanding presence and...

The Forte da Graça, built in the second half of the 18th century by the Count of Lippe, is located on Monte da Graça, one of the highest points in the region and a place of great strategic importance, which allowed the completion of the defensive circuit of Elvas . Affiliated with the Dutch method of fortification, the building complex is formally divided into two parts: the exterior works and the main body, consisting of a magisterial enclosure and a central stronghold. Protected by the remaining lines of defense, the central stronghold consisted of an octagonal tower, with vaulted floors, where there was a chapel on the ground floor, a cistern in the underground space and the Governor's House on the upper floors. After a period of abandonment, Forte da Graça, along with the other fortified structures in Elvas, was classified as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2012, undergoing...