Elvas, Portugal

ELVAS PORTUGAL

We started this trip in Caceres.  Then we moved on to Merida.  From Merida we went to Badajoz.  I'm not posting any pictures of Badajoz, as there was nothing of significance there, and we mainly used this town to spend the night.  But we had a nice evening and found a fun Christmas market to hang out at.  It was a nice town, and we stayed in a great hotel for a great price.  It was a Marriott and we had a two room suite, with a full mini bar for us to enjoy free, for a mere 45 euros.  Spain is such a bargain if you're coming to Europe.  I think it is the best kept secret in Europe.  Forget Italy and France.  Spain is where it's happening.

Just a few miles from Badajoz is the Portugal border.  Right across the border
is another World Heritage site, Elvas.  It was a cute city on a hill.

On our way we passed an odd formation with a stork on top.  Spain is
covered in Stork nests, and it looks like some may be located in Portugal as well.

We couldn't find out what this is, but the substantial walls were impressive.

Elvas is a walled city, and was another Roman stronghold.

One of the gates into the city.

The usual narrow streets.

La Biblioteca.

An interesting church.

A little character.

Just past the star are Roman statues.

Ran into a neat flea market, where I picked up a great antique cow bell.

In front of the church was another life size Belen.

Three wise men and one wise guy.

An old church that also housed a small museum.

The Bishop's dining room.

Roman statues.

The village castle.

The view from the castle.

Beautiful countryside with lots of old walls.

Apparently, no one owns a dryer.

We found an aqueduct in Portugal to make up for the one we missed in Merida.

And what an aqueduct.  It goes on for at least a couple of kilometers.

It continues as far as you can see.

It also reaches amazing heights

We headed back inside the wall to try and get a better view of the aqueduct.

There it is.

While up on the hill we saw a powered paraglider.  I hadn't seen that before.

Greg chained to the wall.  40 lashes!

Passed this statue on our way out of town.  I guess they love their fire fighters also.