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Amoreira Aqueduct and British Cemetery Elvas

Aqueduct

Amoreira aqueduct are situated just outside the town of Elvas while the British Cemetery  is located on the eastern wall of Fort Elvas.The aqueduct has a length of 7,054 meters from its spring in the Serra do Bispo until the Chafariz do Jardim, and another 450 meters to the town fountain. These aqueducts start 7km west of town to bring water to the marble fountain in Largo da Misericordia. 

Amoeira aqueduct of Elvas, seen at night
Amoeira aqueduct of Elvas, seen at night
Here, N4 road passes beside the aqueduct
N372 road passes under the arches of the aqueduct - Amoeira aqueduct and the British Cemetery Elvas
N372 road passes under the arches of the aqueduct - Amoeira aqueduct and the British Cemetery Elvas
This section of the aqueduct offers one of the best views
Impressive looking arches of Amoeira aqueduct
Rows of this aqueduct stretch to a distance of almost 7km
Rows of this aqueduct stretch to a distance of almost 7km

History

The reason to build this aqueduct was to bring more water to the town because previous source of water (beside the Porta do Bispo) had dried up. The construction of these aqueducts started in 1529 and finished in 1622. In total, there are 833 arches supported by rectangular pillars and strengthened by semi-circular and pyramidal buttresses.

Two roads split here, next to aqueduct - Amoeira aqueduct and the British Cemetery Elvas
Arches rise high in this part of the aqueduct
A closer look at the Amoeira Aqueduct of Elvas
This amazing aqueduct, classified as World Heritage Site since 1910
This amazing aqueduct, classified as World Heritage Site since 1910
Modern buildings (petrol station) next to the Amoeira aqueduct
Modern buildings (petrol station) next to the Amoeira aqueduct
This photo was taken while walking towards the town of Elvas
This photo was taken while walking towards the town of Elvas
An aerial view of the aquedcuts, seen from the top of the Fernandina Tower

Cemetery

The English barracks situated at Rua do Quarteis da Corujeira, next to the British Cemetery. These barracks were used by the English soldiers while fighting against the Napoleonic soldiers. This cemetery holds the graves of the thousands of British soldiers who died during the Battle of Albuera. La Albuera is a village inside Spain, this is where battle took place on 16 May 1811. It is said that almost 60,000 British men lost their lives in these battles, fought close to Elvas. 
Inside the cemetery, plaques are hung to commemorate the the British and Portuguese Regimentsthat fought in the Battle of Albuera and the Sieges of Badajoz. The cemetery was rededicated in 1997 and is now maintained by the Friends of the British Cemetery.

Rua do Quarteis da Corujeira has remains of old English barracks
Rua do Quarteis da Corujeira has remains of old English barracks
During the Napoleonic Wars, British soldiers were housed in here
Entrance of the British Cemetery in Elvas
Entrance of the British Cemetery in Elvas
Trees inside the cemetery - Amoeira aqueduct and the British Cemetery Elvas
A sign at the left side of the wall displays information about the Battle of Albuera
This plaque shows that the English lost 60,000 lives in that battle
This plaque shows that the English lost 60,000 lives in that battle
Location of two battles fought in Badajoz and Albuera - Amoeira aqueduct and the British Cemetery Elvas
Location of two battles fought in Badajoz and Albuera - Amoeira aqueduct and the British Cemetery Elvas
In May 2000, regimental plaques were hung on the walls of the cemetery
In May 2000, regimental plaques were hung on the walls of the cemetery
The losses on the Portuguese side were also heavy
The allied won this battle against the French army
The allied won this battle against the French army

Graves

The area enclosed by the railing contains the graves of Maj. Gen. Daniel Hoghton, Lt. Col. Daniel White, Lt. Col. James Ward Oliver, Maj. William Nicholas Bull and his wife Caroline. In this cemetery, only five graves are known and marked but one is the sole marked grave of the thousands who fell in the three sieges of Badajoz. There are few benches are places inside the cemetery to honour the fallen soldiers. 

To the right side of the cemetery, lies a chapel which mark the the spot when this town was taken from the Muslims in 1228.

This enclosed area contains few graves which are named - Amoeira aqueduct and the British Cemetery Elvas
This enclosed area contains few graves which are named - Amoeira aqueduct and the British Cemetery Elvas
It is a small but well looked after cemetery
It is a small but well looked after cemetery
Only five graves are known and marked - Amoeira aqueduct and the British Cemetery Elvas
Only five graves are known and marked - Amoeira aqueduct and the British Cemetery Elvas
Looking downwards from the British Cemetery - in the distance lies the city of Badajoz
Looking downwards from the British Cemetery - in the distance lies the city of Badajoz
One of the defensive walls of Elvas, in the background, the Castle of Elvas can be seen
One of the defensive walls of Elvas, in the background, the Castle of Elvas can be seen
Names wrriten on the plaques, attached to the benches
Names wrriten on the plaques, attached to the benches
I persume, these are the names of the soldiers who died in the battles
I persume, these are the names of the soldiers who died in the battles
Looking back at the rear of the chapel at the entrance of the cemetery
Looking back at the rear of the chapel at the entrance of the cemetery
Roof of the chapel founded by the Friars of St. John’s Hospitallers
Roof of the chapel founded by the Friars of St. John’s Hospitallers
The chapel marks the spot, when this town was taken from the Muslims in 1228
The chapel marks the spot, when this town was taken from the Muslims in 1228