Forte de Nossa Senhora da Graça

The Fort of Nossa Senhora da Graça, also called the Fort of the Count of Lippe, is located at the top of a steep hill of the same name, one kilometre north of the stronghold of Elvas, in the Alentejo region. Its dominant position, given its location at the top of Monte de Graça, gave it an important part in the defence of the Fortress of Elvas, which has managed to maintain over time in a very good state of conservation a good part of its medieval walls as well as almost all of its complex bastioned enclosure. Next to the Fort of Nuestra Señora de Gracia, about 500 m south of the city, stands the other great fort: the “Fort of Santa Luzia”. This entire defensive complex is proud of the fact that it has never been taken by enemy forces. El Fuerte de Nossa Senhora da Graça, también llamado Fuerte del Conde de Lippe, está ubicado en lo más alto de un encrespado cerro del mismo nombre, a un kilometro al norte de la plaza fuerte de Elvas, en la región del Alentejo. Su posición dominante, dada su ubicación en la cima del Monte de Graça, le daba una parte importante en la defensa de la Plaza fuerte de Elvas, que ha conseguido mantener a lo largo del tiempo en muy buen estado de conservación una buena parte de sus murallas medievales así como la práctica totalidad de su complejo recinto abaluartado. Junto al Fuerte de Nuestra Señora de Gracia se alza, a unos 500 m al sur de la ciudad, el otro gran fuerte: el «Fuerte de Santa Luzia». Todo este conjunto defensivo tiene a gala el no haber sido nunca tomado por fuerzas enemigas. Although the construction of the “Forte de Nossa Senhora da Graça” dates back to the 18th century, the hill has been inhabited since much earlier times. In the Iron Age there were already settlers in the area and later, during Roman times, it was also inhabited by them. However, when the hilltop was cleared for the construction of the fort, all traces of these two periods disappeared.