Forte da Graça Elvas

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The project aims beyond the recovery / conservation of the heritage of Forte da Graça also its rehabilitation / adaptation, turning it into a visitable space open to the general public, through a museum program that seeks to enhance all the memories and experiences of a historical past that this space contains in itself.The Nossa Senhora da Graça Fort is part of the Cidade Fronteiriça and Garrison of Elvas and its Fortifications, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also a National Monument.History The Nossa Senhora da Graça Fort, also known as Forte Conde de Lippe, is located in the parish of Alcaçova, Municipality of Elvas and District of Portalegre. Construction began in 1763 during the reign of D. José I, having been completed in 1792 in the reign of Dª. María I. It is mentioned that its first defensive function, during the 18th century, the Fort of Graça was used in the middle of the 19th century (1834) as a prison and thus it functioned until 1989. From 1910 to 1974 it also received political prisoners.Architecture The structure, with a square plan with 150 m on each side, is complemented by pentagonal bastions at the vertices. Four revels cover the curtains, in the middle of which are inserted the monumental door (Porta do Dragão) and three potterns.The central body of the plaza has a raised redoubt, with a circular plan, with two floors and a parapet, opening gunboats for the three orders of Batteries in bunkers. Above the redoubt, like its central lantern, a circular tower with two vaulted floors: in the first we have a Decora chapel and in the second is the Governor's House. Under the chapel, carved out of the rock, a cistern was built. Externally, the structure is complemented by a hornaveque with its revelim and potterna and by a dry, wide and deep Trench.Construction contract The works were divided into:

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