Gabriel Fernández publishes book on La Raya fortifications

Author Gabriel Fernández has released a new book, ‘Castillos y Fortificaciones en La Raya: Extremadura, Alentejo y Región Centro’, documenting 73 fortified locations along the border between Spain and Portugal.

The project originated from a hiking blog created by Fernández in 2006. Following a trip to Elvas in 2013, his interest shifted toward historical fortifications. Through extensive research, photography, and travel, he compiled data and stories regarding the heritage of the La Raya region.

Fernández presents the border not as a divider, but as a shared territory with a common history. The book explores how these fortifications, which have changed hands over centuries, reflect the shared customs, gastronomy, and lifestyles of the people living on both sides of the frontier.