Places of interest in Ávila

The city of Ávila, protected by its three-kilometer-wall, has some magnificent sights including the cathedral, beautiful churches, monasteries, and noble houses.

Ávila is one of the oldest of all the cities in Castilla y León. The trio of Islamic, Hebrew and Christian influances are present in the local arts and traditions. The Celtic Iberians were the first to leave their mark, which can be seen in the stone boars and the nearby Castro de las Cogotas (hill fort), epicentre of the Vettone culture. The Romans also reached this area and the Arabs filled the area with their culture until the final conquest by the Christians.

Proud of its perfect combination of old and new, the city of the river Adaja offers visitors the opportunity to take a look inside the city from the tops of the crenellations that have protected the city walls for centuries. However, only some sections of the walls are open to visitors wishing to see the excellent views of the city from above.

It is exactly these rosary-shaped walls that have made the city internationally famous, attracting tourists from all over the world who have come to follow the trail of Santa Teresa and explore a millenary city at the dawn of the 21st century.

The eastern wall section is the most striking. Outside if which lies the bulk of the city. There is some doubt as to when construction began. However, documents exist that prove that the Frenchman Florín de Pituenga and the Roman Casandro were responsible for its geometry. The exact date as to when the first stone of this universal feat of engineering was laid remains unknown. However some historians believe that it dates back to the 11th century, taking 9 years to construct. 1900 people, mostly Muslims in captivity, helped construct this amazing piece of engineering. Consequently, in spite of it being classified as Romanesque, it contains remarkable Moresque features.

The contemporany construction of the Defensive Wall was an important factor in the city's development. For almost a millennium it was a means of protection for the city and a way of inspecting trade exchanges. The 2.5 km rectangular walls (the equivalent of a 1-hour walk) contain nine gateways and over 2,000 crenellations keep watch over León's horizon. The Puerta del Alcázar and the gateway next to the Basílica de San Vicente are a must for every visitor.

No-one is more deeply-rooted with the Christian culture in Ávila than Santa Teresa. Recognised universally as a historic figure, she gives this city a mystical legacy as the unforgettable memory of her Carmelite reform campaign. Her mark can be found in places such as the Convento de Santa Teresa, a convent built in 1636 over her birthplace. Many other monuments allude to the Saint's life such as the Palacio de Núñez Vela (palace), the Iglesia de San Juan (church) where her baptismal fountain is kept and the Monasterio de Santa María de Gracia (monastery). The Convento de la Encarnación and the Convento de San José are the two most emblematic buildings with regards to the life of the saint.

There is no doubt that the city's history across the years was marked by many people, some of whom were Hebrew and Muslim writers, such as Abraham Nissim Ben, Hebrew author of El Libro de la Sabiduría , Mose de León, author of La Rosa del Testimonio y del Esplendor during the thirteenth century and considered an important book of Jewish mystical writings, and the named Mancebo de Arévalo, Arab author of Tafçira, a journal on his experiences with Muslim traditions and one of the last pieces of spiritual writing on Spanish Islam.

Visitors curious to see what modern Ávila is like inside should take their time in doing so if they really want to enjoy the streets & plazas. Tourists will not be disappointed while wandering around the Paseo del Rastro where a view of the Valle de Amblés may be had from the superbly preserved mirador (viewpoint). Another interesting panoramic view is from the northern facade of the walls or the view from the Cuatro Postes at dusk when the city walls are completely illuminated. Some interesting Romanesque churches can be visited such as the Iglesias de San Pedro, San Andres, San Esteben, San Segundo, San Nicolas, San Martin or Santo Tomé. The Cathedral church is thought to have introduced Spain to Gothic architecture.

If visitors prefer to leap back to Medieval and Renaissance Ávila, there is no better way than to visit the Palacio de los Velada (palace), of the Valderrábanos, Núñez Vela, Polentinos and Dávila.