It was hard to motivate ourselves to hit the road on this cold December morning, with temperatures of -29 ° C. But the destination was worth it: a 130-year-old abandoned prison. Moreover, I had a special permission for a photo session inside....
Urban and rural photographic exploration
Forte de Nossa Senhora da Graça : fortress Our Lady of Grace
UNESCO heritage abandonment
Elvas, Portugal
Located in the parish of Alcazaba about one kilometer from the town of Elvas in Portugal, the fortress Our Lady of Grace, better known by the Portuguese as the Forte de Nossa Senhora da Graça or Forte Conde de Lippe, this is a imposing building dedicated to the protection of the country. While the Spanish border is only a stone's throw at the east of the city, King Joseph ordered its construction in 1763 on the Mount Grace hill, where stood the ancient chapel of Our Lady of Grace. This is the perfect place, as this hill is the highest point in the region. Its construction will last nearly thirty years and thousands of men will be mobilized to build this fortress. But their work was not in vain, because the fortress will be the privileged witness of many battles that will take place.
Composed of three lines of defense and considered as a masterpiece of military architecture of the eighteenth century, it will withstand the onslaught of Spanish troops during the War of the Oranges (1801), the French bombardment of General Soult during the Peninsular War (1811) and many more.
It was also used as a military prison for several years. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the fortress requires more work to maintain its original charm. The site is now abandoned for several years.
Video
Here is a video made by Richard Moura about the fortress of Our Lady of Grace.
Photo gallery
Interested by this place? Here are more pictures of the fortress Our Lady of Grace.
Urbex Playground
needs you !
You have information about this place? Better still, you have pictures of this place that you are willing to share? Well, hurry to click this button before I came to kick your ass!
Related content
North of Montreal, Quebec (Canada)
Built by record producer Andre Perry in the early 70s, Le Studio is a real monument in the history of music. Located in the Laurentian mountains, an hour and a half north of Montreal , the site was a huge recording facility, featuring the most...
Montérégie, Quebec (Canada)
Regions are getting empty. Everybody knows, everybody says so. Farms are becoming larger and they become (over) specialized. At the last century they were self-sufficient and beyond culture, they had cows, pigs, chickens and more. Today, this is...
North of the country, (France)
His nickname is coming from the stuffed boar's head that adorns the entrance to the castle. Real little jewel of northern France, the secrecy surrounding its location still preserves the vandals who have already done so much damage elsewhere....
About Urbex playground
First of all, Urbex Playground is about urban and rural photography lovers. It is the respect of the places we have visited and to whom we have a great admiration. Of its contents, Urbex Playground wishes to preserve the memory of these abandoned, destroyed or dilapidated places who have made the glory of our fathers and which today we have, alas, not enough compassion.
We are not vandals or people necessarily involved in the preservation of these places. We do not pretend to believe that our pictures will change anything in the future of these churches, factories, homes and other abandoned buildings. We're just passionate about the image in the perpetual quest for new photographic challenges.
Urbex Playground is not a photo club, any more than we are touristic guides for these forbidden places. Moreover, in any case, Urbex Playground do not invites you to visit these places without the consent of its owners. These places are dangerous and by entering into these places, legal actions can be taken against you.
However, if you have pictures or information about any abandoned places, do not hesitate to contact us. We will be glad to publish them on the site, including your credit with your name and your website. Like this, our visitors will be able to visite your own website. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Urbex playground is social
Follow us on the following social network. Make sure also to visit these amazing websites by some of our members.
© 2018 Urbex Playground is a creation of Jarold & go. All rights reserved.