Portas de Olivença — Attraction in Elvas

Elvas was the last scenic and historic stop on my way from Toledo in Spain to Lisbon in Portugal. I saw the UNESCO World Heritage sign on the highway, so I thought to make a quick stop which turned out to be more than two hours of walking along the yellow historic fort! The fortifications were very important in the battles with Spain for the independence of Portugal in the mid-17th century, and served as a base for General Wellington during the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th century. Today, the fortifications of Elvas are a World Heritage site. If I had known its significance, I would have planned at...

This is the southern gate of the city walls of Elvas, built in the 17th century during the Seiscentista period. It was constructed after Portugal's restoration of independence from Spain in 1640, as part of the city’s defensive system to repel potential Spanish invasions. The name Olivença Gate comes from the fact that it stands on the road leading south toward Olivença, a historically disputed border town. At the time, this area was of great strategic and military importance, and the gate played a key role in controlling access through the...

Nice to drive through one of the main gates of Elvas. If you drive into the old town through this gate, you can either turn right or left and there is a free parking area on either side. Also, you can walk out of the old city through this gate and then turn right to stroll around the old city wall. The view is nice with...