Elvas

Elvas, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

This fortress city lies approximately 15 kilometers from the Portuguese-Spanish border and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list since June 30, 2012.  According to the UN organization, "it represents the largest bulwarked dry ditch system in the world".  In 1658 an army of Spanish soldiers, containing a considerably higher number of men than the Portuguese army, hoped to capture the town of Elvas.  The victory went to the Portuguese and one of the reasons for their success was due to the strong fortifications surrounding the town.

When you walk around this stronghold city, you can't help but to imagine what went on in its streets centuries ago.