Castelo de Elvas

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Stephen Colebourne

Castelo de Elvas is a medieval fortress located in the city of Elvas, Portugal. It was built in the 13th century during the reign of King Sancho II and served as a key defensive structure on the border between Portugal and Spain.

The castle is surrounded by a moat and has several towers and ramparts, including the Tower of the Three Pincers, the Keep Tower, and the Powder Tower. The castle was renovated and expanded several times over the centuries, with major works carried out during the 16th and 17th centuries, when Elvas was an important military stronghold.

During the Portuguese Restoration War in the 17th century, the castle played a pivotal role in the defense of the Portuguese border against Spanish invasion. It was also used as a military prison and barracks in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Today, Castelo de Elvas is a popular tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore the castle and its many rooms and towers, including the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda, the Governor’s Palace, and the Commandery Tower. The castle also offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and the city of Elvas.

The Castelo de Elvas appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Elvas!

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!

Nearby Attractions

• Museu Militar de Elvas (0.6) km
  Museum in Elvas
• Walls of Elvas (0.7) km
  City Walls in Elvas
• Amoreira Aqueduct (1.0) km
  Aqueduct in Elvas
• Forte de Nossa Senhora da Graça (1.3) km
  Castle in Elvas
• Universidade de Évora (73.1) km
  Historic Site in Évora
• Évora Roman Temple (73.2) km
  Historic Site in Évora
• Évora Cathedral (73.2) km
  Cathedral in Évora
• Museu de Évora (73.2) km
  Museum in Évora
• Agua de Prata Aqueduct (73.5) km
  Aqueduct in Évora
• Praça do Giraldo (73.5) km
  Square in Évora