The Castle of Elvas is a medieval military fortification in Portugal, in the civil parish of Alcáçova, municipality of Elvas, part of a first line of defense in the Portuguese Alentejo, in conjunction with the military forts of Ouguela, Campo Maior, Olivença and Juromenha.
Between the 8th and 12th century Muslim forces occupied Elvas, resulting in the construction of the fortress. It was briefly conquered by forces loyal to Afonso Henriques around 1166, an action that was repeated in successive years with Moorish capture, and recapture, of the strategic point. In 1200 Sancho I encircled the citadel, and his successor, Sancho II made a tentative attempt to capture Elvas in 1226, at the same time Alfonso IX of León was trying to take Badajoz: although concerted, it was unsuccessful.
This was followed in 1228 by another attempt, also unsuccessful, until 1230, after the castle and surrounding territory was abandoned by Muslim forces, who had received word that Alfonso IX had reached and was threatening Mérida.
Kingdom
The year before (1229) Sancho II had issued a foral (charter) for Elvas, which was later reaffirmed by King Afonso III in 1263. As a method of attracting further Iberian investments the concession of a fair, in 1262, helped to attract settlement to the region. This, along with further investments from the Crown resulted in the reconstruction of the castle and walled village between the 13th and 14th century, with the cerca Fernandina (walls of King Ferdinand), still under the reign of Afonso IV, that included 22 towers and 11 gates (including the important Gate of Olivença or Royal Gate).
Elvas was under siege from 1325 to 1327 from the forces of Alfonso XI of Castile, due to the continuing war during the reign of Afonso IV.[1] This would continue for several years, first with a two-day siege in 1334; in 1337; and then in 1381, by Infante John of Portugal (son of King Peter I of Portugal and Inês de Castro) supported by Castillian forces, during the third protracted wars with Castile, during the reign of King Ferdinand (1381-1383). It was also besieged in 1385, by John II of Castille, during the Restoration Wars (1384-1387).
Following these battles, between 1488 and 1490, the castle underwent reconstruction, with alterations complete to the hexagonal tower, as well as the construction of a keep tower that was much taller and able to support artillery emplacements. Sometime during this period the alcalde’s quarters were also renovated, while repairs to the walls and three towers were carried out in intervening years, following acts by Afonso Mendes de Oliveira. In this period, the town had four internal and four external gates, all without doors.
On 3 March 1507 King Manuel I confirmed the foral, already established by Afonso III. Four years later he ordered the construct of several towers along the walls and the repair of two that had already suffered damage.These acts preceded the elevation of Elvas to the status of city (Portuguese: cidade), which he did on 21 April 1513 with the promulgation of a new foral.
The settlement was also elevated to the status of bishopric in 1570.
In 1580, Elvas was occupied, without combat, by D. Sancho de Ávila.
Between 1601 and 1602, under the direction of Luís Serrão Pimentel, the walls were repaired, owing to several years of neglect.
Restoration wars
Main article: Battle of the Lines of Elvas
In 1641, under the administration of the Governor Matias de Albuquerque, significant repairs were begun on the castle and fortress. This completed through contributions from people of the town, equivalent to two réis, and resulted in the expansion of trenches, reinforcement of the barbicans and the opening-up of a gap for expansion. This was accomplished through the demolish of various homes near the castle to permit the war effort: in 1644, the Marquess of Torrescusa had already proven the need to reinforce Elvas, with his siege of the castle.
This was the beginning of the period of construction that resulted in the bulwarked Praça de Elvas that was completed in 1653, creating a military square and defensive ring. By the middle of this project, records document the nomination, in 1646, of Pedro Fernandes, quartermaster of the Sé of Elvas, and an accomplished expert in fortifications, to assist João Cosmander in the work on the walls.
Between 1658 and 1659, Elvas was encircled by the forces of Luis Méndez de Haro, and the castle’s defenders resisted the Spanish bombardment of the town, although many died due to the Black death. This was ultimately a precursor to the 14 January 1659 Battle of the Lines of Elvas, that pitted the Haro’s forces against the cobbled-together forces of António Luís de Meneses, 1st Marquis of Marialva, 3rd Count of Cantanhede.
By 1662, the walls and the city’s defenses were still being rebuilt, under Luís Serrão Pimentel.
War of Spanish Succession
After Portugal joined the forces of the Grand Alliance during the War of Spanish Succession, with the Methuen Treaty, it became vulnerable from attacks from Spain. In 1706, Elvas fell under siege from a Franco-Spanish force, and yet again in 1712, when the Marquess of Bay and his forces attempted to seize the castle.
These events led to the post-war construction of a gunpowder magazine in 1735, under the direction and plans of Manuel de Azevedo Fortes.
Peninsular wars
With the intervention of French forces during the Peninsular wars Elvas, once again took on the frontlines of the battle between Spain and Portugal. Supported by French forces of Manuel de Godoy, during the campaign known as the Guerra das Laranjas (War of the Oranges), Elvas was attacked by Spanish forces in 1801 however, Godoy was unable to siege the fortress due to insufficient troops and supplies.
During fighting involved with the French campaign, Elvas was taken in 1807 by the French. The following year an Anglo-Portuguese force laid siege to Elvas, prior to the expulsion of French forces, in order to expel the French garrisoned in the castle.
In 1815, one of the towers was demolished in order to protect a warehouse that was located near the wall.
In 1823, battery emplacements were affixed to the northern and northwest towers, that included lowering of emplacements, but also the construction of barbettes.
20th century
Between 1940 and 1948, a large intervention was made on the site, that altered many of the spaces. During these renovations, an azulejo tile depicting the Sagrada Família, on the castle gate, was removed.
