Gibraltar, a rocky outcrop, was taken in 1704 by England and the Dutch. Spain later ceded it under the Treaty of Utrecht. But, Spain has held another town for 211 years that was claimed by another nation -Olivença. This border town part of Portugal from 1297 to 1801, when the Spanish seized it during the Napoleonic Wars.
Portugal went on the victory, and the Congress of Vienna in 1815 retuned Olivença to Portugal. But Spain refused return the town of 290 sq. miles. They blew up the bridge to Portugal, and prevent the teaching of Portuguese. Olivença is set on the left bank of the River Guadiana, just 15 miles south of Elvas. Its castle keep still boasts the arm of Portugal, sign of this lost town.