Arquivo Municipal (Convento de São Francisco de Elvas)

It is a building that, in architectural terms, is completely out of character. Situated outside the city walls, it has always been a problem for the defense of the city. It was occupied, more than once, by Spaniards, in the 17th century, and in the 19th century, during the French invasions. For this reason, he was several times razed to the ground by artillery. This is where the Municipal Archive of Elvas is installed.

Situated in a high place next to the Aqueduct of the Amoreira, the convent was always the object of harassment in period of war, having even been seen by some military as an obstacle to the defense of the city. From this side the enemy could approach without being seen and even settling here to attack. Thus it happened in 1658 and 1659 when the Spaniards occupied it for this purpose and also in the beginning of the century. XIX during the French invasions. The artillery of the square leaves the building several times in ruin reason why it was often the target of reconstructions. The convent of San Francisco of Elvas was vacated in 1834 by the Law of expropriation of the goods of the religious orders, being affection to the Public Cemetery in 1842. In architectural terms the building is totally deprived of its original appearance due to works done here in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries; still it is of an interesting monumentality, the church in the front a galilé topped by a window with a decorated decoration having at the top two bell towers. The interior of the church is simple and gives access to a cloister paved in Portuguese sidewalk. The whole convent has undergone rehabilitation works and since 2006 it has been occupied by the Municipal Historical Archive of Elvas.