Walls and Gates of Elvas
Outer Walls & the Arch of the Bhishop
Walls and Gates of Elvas reflect an extraordinarily sophisticated military technology. Its defensive system of moats, forts and heavy walls was an important element to protect this city from the Spanish attacks. All in all, the city has three walls encircling the town. Requalificação do Jardim das Laranjeiras (Requalification of the Orange Garden) is a garden beside the city walls of Elvas.
Arco do Bispo (Arch of the Bhishop) is located at Rua Isabel Maria Picão. It appears to be that a door may have existed here in the past, as a part of the second wall of Elvas.
Second Walls
The second wall of Elvas was built between 10th-11th centuries during the Muslim period. Additions were made to the second wall but majority of the wall was from the Muslim era in the Iberian Peninsula. Another arch in the city walls sits between R. da Cadeia and the Praça da República (the Republic Square). This arch (door) was part of the second wall of the city. Close to this arch, lies the famous the Fernandina Tower which was also once part of the second wall.
Porta do Templo & Porta da Alcacova
Porta do Templo was part of citadel built during the Muslim period (belonged to the first wall). After the conquest of Elvas, the real estate close to this gate was given to the Templars religious-military order, hence the name suggests. The first entrance was perpendicular to the wall and gave access to a chamber that preceded the entry into the walled enclosure.
Arco do Miradeiro is located at Rua Arco do Miradeiro. It is also known as Porta da Alcáçova (the Citadel Door). This door was part of the outer wall of Yalbash (name of Elvas during the Muslim rule). An original gate was built during the 8th and 9th centuries and cut stones were also used in its construction. Remarkably, this door is still in good condition after 11 centuries.
Third Walls
The last walls of Elvas was constructed in the 17th century by a Flemish Jesuit engineer Cosmander designed the formidable defences. These walls were designed in 1643, during the Portuguese Restoration War. These walls are star shaped with 12 faces and three gates. One of the doors in the third walls of Elvas is supported by a drawbridge. This door opens out towrads the direction of Forte de Santa Luzia.
The False Gate lies in the third wall and it was built to divide the enemy attack. Built in 1650 , this gate would lead enemy into a dead end rather than into the city. Next to city walls, an eighteenth century water fountain, known as Fountain of Santa Monica. Old cistern was built here to supply the water to the fortress.
