Our Lady of Conception's Powder House

Category: Civil Architecture > Powder Magazine

District: Portalegre > Elvas > Elvas > Centro Histórico

Location

Located in the heart of Elvas' Historic Centre, the Paiol de Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Our Lady of Conception Powder Magazine) is discreetly integrated into the urban fabric that characterizes this fortified city. Its location allows for easy discovery while exploring the streets and alleys that make up this unique heritage, a testament to centuries of military history.

A Powder Magazine

Built in the 17th century, this unique building was designed with a vital purpose: the storage of gunpowder essential for the Portuguese army. Its construction is attributed to Cosmander, a prominent name in military engineering of that era. This powder magazine reflects Elvas' strategic importance as a garrison city throughout the centuries, needing to safeguard its most valuable military resources in secure locations within the walls.

Architecture and Protection

The Paiol de Nossa Senhora da Conceição stands out for its circular shape, which gives it particular robustness. Inside, the dome is made up of an interesting structure of transverse barrel vaults, designed for the safety of what was stored there. In the 19th century, the structure underwent significant adaptations: three towers equipped with lightning rods were added to it. This alteration was crucial, given that explosions of powder magazines caused by atmospheric discharges represented one of the greatest dangers for military cities of the time. At the top, a pyramid crowns the building, adorned with three Latin inscriptions, which symbolically invoke divine protection for this crucial deposit.

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