Elvas

Elvas, the strongest fortified city of Portugal, in the province of Alentejo, near the Spanish frontier, and 10 miles W. of Badajoz by rail. Standing upon a hill, it is defended by seven large bastions and two isolated forts, and has an arsenal and cannon-foundry. It is a gloomy town and a dirty, yet is supplied with water by a fine aqueduct, carried on three rows of superimposed arches. Its inhabitants (10,471) carry on an active contraband trade with Spain, principally in British manufactured wares, also in wool and wine. The district, which is very fertile, yields oil, wine, fruits, and vegetables. Elvas was made a bishop's see in 1570. In 1580 it was taken by the Spaniards, but they suffered a severe reverse before the town in 1659, and laid siege to it in vain in 1711. It was captured again in 1808 by the French.