dry ditch system in the world. Within its walls, the town contains barracks and other military buildings as well as churches and monasteries. While Elvas contains remains dating back to the 10th century, its fortification began during the Portuguese Restoration War. The fortifications played a major role in the Battle of the Lines of Elvas in 1659. The fortifications were designed by Dutch Jesuit Padre João Piscásio Cosmander and represent the best surviving example of the Dutch school of fortifications anywhere. The site consists the following: Amoreira Aqueduct, built to withstand long sieges. Historic Centre and the covered way Nossa Senhora da Graça Fort Fortlet of São Mamede Fortlet of São Domingos Climate Civil Parishes Administratively, the municipality is divided in seven civil parishes (freguesias): Assunção, Ajuda, Salvador e Santo Ildefonso Barbacena e Vila Fernando Caia, São Pedro e Alcáçova Santa Eulália São Brás e São Lourenço São Vicente e Ventosa Terrugem e Vila Boim Sister cities Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain Olivença, Disputed Campo Maior, Alentejo, Portugal Notable people Manuel Rodrigues Coelho (ca. 1555 – 1635) a Portuguese organist and composer. João de Fontes Pereira de Melo (1780–1856) a politician, a general and twice colonial governor of Cape Verde José Travassos Valdez, 1st Count of Bonfim (1787–1862) a Portuguese soldier and statesman. Fortunato José Barreiros (1797–1885) a colonial governor of Cape Verde and military architect. Adelaide Cabete (1867–1935) a Portuguese feminist and republican. Virgínia Quaresma (1882–1973) an early radical, feminist, lesbian journalist Sofia Pomba Guerra (1906–1976) a feminist, opponent of the Estado Novo government in Portugal and an activist in the anti-colonial movements of Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau. José António Rondão Almeida (born 1945) a Portuguese politician & Mayor of Elvas Toni Vidigal (born 1975), Jorge Vidigal (born 1978) & André Vidigal (born 1998) Angolan football brothers Raquel Guerra (born 1985) a Portuguese singer and actress. Henrique Sereno (born 1985) a Portuguese former footballer with 236 club caps Gallery References External links UNESCO, Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications Cities in Portugal World Heritage Sites in Portugal Populated places in Portalegre District Municipalities of Portalegre District