Fernandine Wall

Category: Military Architecture > Walls

District: Portalegre > Elvas > Elvas > Bairro da Fonte Nova

Location

The Fernandina Wall, one of Elvas' historical testaments, is located in the urban area of Bairro da Fonte Nova. This area, integrated into the city of Elvas, a World Heritage site, allows visitors to observe the remnants of this ancient military structure while walking through the local streets.

Its presence in the current urban fabric offers a perspective on the city's expansion and evolution over the centuries, inviting exploration of the site.

An Essential Defense

In the 14th century, the city of Elvas was experiencing a period of growth, with its population exceeding the limits of the old walls. In response to this development and the urgent need to reinforce security on a disputed border with Castile, D. Fernando promoted the construction of a new and robust line of defense.

The Fernandina Wall thus emerged as a strategic response, a vital bulwark to protect the city and its growing community during a period of instability.

The Original Design

When completed, the Fernandina Wall encompassed an impressive perimeter of approximately 2200 meters, delimiting a vast area that included both urban housing and agricultural land. Its military design was reinforced by the presence of 22 towers and 11 gates, crucial elements for monitoring and controlling access to the city.

These features underscore the grandeur and importance that this structure represented in the defense of Elvas in the Middle Ages, highlighting the military engineering effort of the time.

The Visible Legacy

With the evolution of warfare tactics and the construction of more advanced defenses in the 17th century, much of the Fernandina Wall was progressively dismantled to allow for the implementation of the new fortifications that characterize Elvas today.

However, some segments of this wall have survived, offering visitors the opportunity to directly observe the remains of what was a fundamental sentinel in Portugal's military history. These remaining sections are an invitation to discover the oldest layers of Elvas' defensive architecture.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt