Your trip to Avila

The Basilica of San Vicente is located in Avila, outside the city walls. Romanesque in style, its construction began in 1120 and is still a place of worship. The orange color of its facade is striking. Tradition has it that it was here that St. Vincent was martyred and buried and, as a result, was named in his honor.

The Monastery of Santo Tomás is a Dominican monastery located in Ávila, built between 1482 and 1493 under the patronage of the Catholic Monarchs, their treasurer and his wife - Hernando Núñez de Arnalte and María Dávila - and Fray Tomás de Torquemada. The monastery was the seat of the Inquisition and, between the 16th and 19th centuries, it was the University of Santo Tomás. Over the centuries it has suffered damage, plundering and modifications and in 1931 it was declared a National Monument. the facade of the church has a large rose window, a huge coat of arms of the Catholic Monarchs and ten sculptures but, unquestionably, its interior is the most interesting for its beautiful ribbed vault, its choir, the three cloisters and the tomb of the Infante Don Juan, the only son of the Catholic Monarchs who did not reach the throne because of his premature death. In addition, inside the palace, you will also find the Museum of Oriental Art and the Museum of Natural Sciences.

The convent and birthplace of Santa Teresa de Jesús is a Baroque Carmelite-style church that was built on the house where Teresa de Cepeda y Ahumado was born and is, now the chapel of Santa Teresa. Below it is the Teresian museum, in the great burial crypt. The facade is divided into three parts in which the image of the Saint in marble and the coats of arms of the Cepeda and Ahumada stand out. In the same square where the Church of Santa Teresa is located, you will also find the Hall of Relics.

The Cathedral of Avila or Cathedral of Christ the Savior is a construction of Romanesque style although there are also elements of several influences such as the Gothic, visible in its impressive High Altarpiece, and the Renaissance, which highlights the laborious Choir, crafted in detail on walnut wood, and the Choir stalls, pilasters decorated with high reliefs representing "The Presentation in the Temple, The Adoration of the Kings and The Slaughter of the Innocents".

The Palace of Superunda idates from XVI century. Built on granite masonry, it consists of two towers and two floors. On the lower floor, there are two windows with doorposts and lintel moldings. The upper floor has three balconies overlooking the inner courtyard and has a staircase with a bust of Jesus Christ, the work of Vasco de la Zarza.

The Wall of Ávila is a symbol of the city. This impressive medieval wall from the 11th century has a perimeter of 2,516 metres, 87 towers, 9 access gates -including the Puerta de San Vicente and the Puerta del Alcázar-, 2 gatekeepers and 2,500 merlons. What's more, it is the best-preserved walled enclosure in Spain, you can walk along the top of the wall to see the beautiful city of Ávila, a World Heritage Site, down below..