2 Best Things to do in Elvas

The Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Consolação (Church of Our Lady of Consolation) is one of Elvas’s hidden treasures. Set in the charming little square of Largo de Santa Clara the church doesn’t look particularly interesting from the outside, but step indoors and the interior will take your breath away.  The walls, pillars and ceiling are covered with stunning 17^th century patterned tiles, and there are three ornate gilt altars, dedicated to St Dominic, John the Baptist and St Thomas Aquinas.

The Castle of Elvas (Castelo de Elvas) in Eastern Portugal has an interesting history.  It was never a royal residence, but was a frontier garrison which witnessed battles and sieges over its long history. There was once a Roman garrison here and later the Muslim forces who occupied the region until the 12^th century built a fortress on the site of the present day fortifications.