Murtais Barn

Category: Civil Architecture > Powder Magazine

District: Portalegre > Elvas > Elvas > Bairro da Raposeira

Location

Paiol dos Murtais is situated in a rural area, approximately two kilometers north of the city of Elvas, in the municipality of Elvas. Located within Herdade dos Murtais, its position outside the city of Elvas was a strategic choice at the time of its construction. It offers a perspective of the Alentejo countryside, typical of the region.

A Historic Powder Magazine

This building was erected in the early 19th century, between 1804 and 1806, at the initiative of the Royal Treasury, with the primary objective of serving as a general powder magazine. Its construction outside the city limits of Elvas had a crucial purpose: to safeguard the inhabitants from any danger of explosion that might arise from storing gunpowder within the city walls. The need for a safe and remote location was pressing, and Paiol dos Murtais represented the answer to this military concern of the era.

Unique Architectural Features

Paiol dos Murtais features a rectangular plan, comprising two main sections: a warehouse and a receiving house, the latter being lower and narrower. The entire complex is encircled by a high firebreak wall with curved angles, demonstrating the inherent safety precautions of its original function. Its main facade, facing north, boasts a late-Baroque style portal, with pilasters and a Portuguese coat of arms, complemented by a niche housing an image of Saint Barbara, the patron saint of those who handle explosives. The warehouse facades are battered and feature ashlar pilasters at the quoins. A distinctive and peculiar element are the two circular-plan dovecotes, with turreted bodies and conical roofs, added in the 20th century, which flank the firebreak wall and give the complex a very unique visual identity. Inside, the walls are plastered and painted white, and the ceiling is a barrel vault, with chicane vents, a ventilation system designed for the safety of the space.

From Defense to Agriculture

Throughout its history, Paiol dos Murtais faced periods of abandonment and degradation. Its location, which initially made it safe for the city, proved to be an inconvenience for its military use during wartime. After being decommissioned as an Army powder magazine, the building was sold to a private individual in 1902. Currently, this old military structure, which once stored gunpowder for the defense of Elvas, serves as a hayloft, reflecting a new life and an adaptation to the region's agricultural context.

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