Artillery Barracks

Category: Military Architecture > Barracks

District: Portalegre > Elvas > Elvas > Centro Histórico

Location

The Artillery Barracks is located in the heart of the Historic Centre of Elvas, a city renowned for its remarkable set of fortifications. Situated within Elvas Square, the building stands attached to the scarp of the Cascalho re-entrant, integrating uniquely into the city's defensive structure. A grassy plot with front railings and a walkway with stairs complete its urban surroundings, facilitating the observation of its facade.

A Military Legacy

This barracks dates back to the second half of the 17th century, being one of the first to be erected in Elvas after the Restoration of Portugal's Independence. Its construction was due to the need to house the troops defending the city, and it is notable for having been financed through a wine tax, levied on the population itself. The project is attributed to the military engineer António Rodrigues, lending it significant architectural and historical value in the context of military engineering of the period. It initially served as barracks for artillerymen and was later adapted for use as stables, bearing witness to the varying needs of the military garrison throughout the centuries.

Architecture and Adaptations

The architecture of the Artillery Barracks is distinguished by its elongated rectangular plan and its long, simple facade, oriented to the north. It features a series of straight-lintel doorways, rhythmically arranged, and small chimneys projecting from the parapet. Inside, each of the multiple, almost quadrangular compartments, is covered by barrel vaults and has individual access, many of them retaining their original fireplace. An interesting adaptation occurred in 1797, with the construction of two casemates at the ends, equipped with oval embrasures in the scarp, designed to defend the moat. This building has been rehabilitated, now serving a cultural and recreational purpose, representing a fusion between its military past and its current revitalization.

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