Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications World Heritage Site

Official name

Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications | UNESCO

Country

Portugal | Map

Continent

Europe

Location

38.8806° Lat, -7.1633° Lon | Map

Code

1367

Time Zone

Europe/Lisbon (WET, +0000)

Current Time

Category

Cultural

Description

Inscribed 2012. The site, extensively fortified from the 17 th to 19 th centuries, represents the largest bulwarked dry-ditch system in the world. Within its walls, the town contains barracks and other military buildings as well as churches and monasteries. While Elvas contains remains dating back to the 10th century ad, its fortification began when Portugal regained independence in 1640. The fortifications designed by Dutch Jesuit padre Cosmander represent the best surviving example of the Dutch school of fortifications anywhere. The site also contains the Amoreira aqueduct, built to enable the stronghold to withstand lengthy sieges.