Page 305 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

the entrance. Until the late
16th century the castle was
the resi dence of Elvas’s mayors.
Until 1882, Nossa
Senhora da Assunção was
the cathedral of Elvas. Built
in the early 16th century, its
architect was Francisco de
Arruda, who also designed the
town’s impressive aqueduct.
His Manueline south portal FORTIFICATIONS OF ELVAS
survives, but much of the Using the principles of the French military architect, the
church has been modified. Marquis de Vauban, a series of pentagonal bastions and
The azulejos in the nave date freestanding angled ravelins form a multifaceted star,
from the early 17th century. protecting the walls from every angle. What survives
The engaging Museu dates mostly from the 17th century, when the defences
Municipal de Fotografia João held off Spanish troops in the War of Restoration. Two
Carpinteiro is divided into surviving satellite forts indicate the strategic importance
the History of Photography of Elvas: to the southeast lies the military fort and museum
Room, with numerous black- of Forte de Santa Luzia (1641–87), and 2 km (1 mile) north is
and-white images documen- the carefully restored 18th-century Forte de Graça.
ting life in the region, and the
Collector’s Room, featuring rare
and valuable vintage cameras has fine marble columns and Museu Municipal de
and photographic equipment. spectacular azulejos added in Fotografia João
The Museu de Arte the 17th century. These line Carpinteiro
Contemporãnea de Elvas, the the walls and reach up into the " ⌂ Largo Luís de Camões
only national museum display- cupola. Just behind the church § 268 636 470 # 10am–1pm,
ing exclusively contempo rary is the archway of the Arab 3–5pm Tue–Sun ¢ Easter
Portuguese art, occupies a Porta da Alcáçova, a vestige of Sun, 1 May, 25 Dec
former hospi tal. The collection Elvas’s Moorish fortifications.
includes works by artists such Museu de Arte
as Adriana Molder, André Castelo de Elvas Contemporânea de Elvas
Gomes and Joana Vasconcelos. " ⌂ Parada do Castelo " ⌂ Rua da Cadeia § 268
The plain exterior belies § 268 626 403 # 9:30am– 637 150 # Apr–Sep: 2–6pm
the wealth within the walls 1pm, 2–5:30pm Tue–Sun Tue, 11am–6pm Wed–Sun;
of Nossa Senhora dos Afitos. ¢ 1 & 14 Jan, Easter Sun, Oct–Mar: 1–5pm Tue, 10am–
This little 16th-century church 1 May, 25 Dec 5pm Wed–Sun

304-305_EW_Portugal.indd 305 20/09/2018 10:42