Marvão – The Frontier

Marvão – The Frontier

Perched on a granite crag of the Serra de São Mamede, Marvão’s name is derived from an 8th-century Muladi duke, named Ibn Marwan. Ibn Marwan used the fortress as a power base when establishing an independent statelet (“emirate”, duchy) covering much of modern day Portugal  during the Emirate of Cordoba (884-931 CE). The castle and walled village were further fortified through the […]

Elvas Cathedral

Elvas Cathedral

The current building was erected in 1517 to replace an earlier Gothic church. The author of the project in the Manueline style was probably Francisco de Arruda. The opening to the worship was held in 1537, with the work unfinished. The Manueline period date the general structure of the temple, fortified church of three naves […]

Door of Alcáçova in Elvas

Door of Alcáçova in Elvas

Door of Alcáçova, also known as Arc of Miradeiro, is an arc of the primitive outer wall of the city of Elvas, built during the Islamic rule then Yalbash (current Elvas) . Get Back view of the Arc of Miradeiro – the building consists of a straight inlet port in turn flanked by slightly protruding and […]

Walls of Elvas

Walls of Elvas

The walls of Elvas are the greatest bulwark fortifications in the world. Part of the historical-cultural set inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as “Border Town of Elvas and trim and its Fortifications” since June 30, 2012. The walls had the beginning of its construction in the reign of Sancho II, having been made […]

Castle of Elvas

Castle of Elvas

By the time of the Christian Reconquest at the Iberian Peninsula, was  initially taken by Christian forces under the command of Geraldo Sem Pavor /Fearless Geraldo  when he conquest  Juromenha.   Retaken by the Moors , returned to Portuguese hands in 1220 only to fall again into the possession of the Moors. Between  1226-29  finally […]

The Aqueduct of Amoreira in Elvas

The Aqueduct of Amoreira in Elvas

Connects the small place of Amoreira to  the city of Elvas. Has 8.5 kilometers long with 843 arches, more than five arcades and towers that rise up to 31 meters high, is considered the largest aqueduct of the Iberian peninsula. In 1498, the only source of drinking water  in Elvas was the a well that […]

Castle of Alter do Chão

Castle of Alter do Chão

In the context of the Christian Reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula, this region was occupied by the forces of Portugal since the second decade of the century thirteenth century: Alfonso II (1211-1223) ordered its reconstruction in 1216. Under the reign of Sancho II (1223-1248), the castle is mentioned in the Charter of Settlement given the […]

Dolmen in Aldeia da Mata

Dolmen in Aldeia da Mata

The Dolmen of Tapadão (or Anta da Aldeia da Mata)  is the second largest in Portugal. It constitutes a megalithic monument with more than five thousand years old. It stands out for its size and still in very good condition. Was classified as a National Monument in 1910. It consists of seven granite struts with […]

Monastery of Santa Maria de Flor da Rosa, in Crato

Monastery of Santa Maria de Flor da Rosa, in Crato

Considered to be one of the most important example of existing fortified monastery in the Iberian Peninsula. Nowadays is a charm hotel, belonging to  Pousadas de Portugal.   Built  in 1356 by D. Álvaro Gonçalves Pereira, first Prior of Crato and father of  Nuno Alvares Pereira, the Holy Constable. According to some historians was D.Nuno’ […]

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