Backpacking in Spain: Day Trip to Ávila
Ávila is the capital of the Ávila province in the Autonomous community of Castile and León. It lies 1,132 metres above sea level, about 100km northwest of Madrid.
Ávila is best known for its medieval walls, one of the best-preserved walled enclosures in Europe.
Ávila is best known for its medieval walls, one of the best-preserved walled enclosures in Europe.
You can check and buy tickets on the Renfe website.
The Renfe - Madrid to San Sebastian train at the Madrid Príncipe Pío station:
Arrival in Ávila:
Ávila was a pre-Roman settlement, part of Roman Lusitania. It was known as Abula, or Avela, before falling (c. 714) to the Moors in the 8th century before being recaptured for the Christians by Alfonso VI in 1085.
It is best known for the Walls of Ávila - Muralla de Ávila.
It is best known for the Walls of Ávila - Muralla de Ávila.
Walls of Ávila - Muralla de Ávila
The wall surrounding the city, dates from the Middle Ages. Some say that the wall was built at the end of the 11th century and others suggest the wall was built in the 12th and 13th centuries though there is some archaeological evidence that there was a wall as early as the 5th century.
With a perimeter of 2516 m (around an area of 33 ha), the wall has 87 turrets, 9 gates and 2 small gates and 2500 merlons (yeah I had to look that one up).
With an average height of 12 metres and a thickness of 3 metres, there are semi-circular turrets every 20 metres which stand up to 8 metres above the walls themselves. Truly impressive!
Here is a photo of the wall, The red line, shows the parts of the wall that are open to the public and the access points:
With a perimeter of 2516 m (around an area of 33 ha), the wall has 87 turrets, 9 gates and 2 small gates and 2500 merlons (yeah I had to look that one up).
With an average height of 12 metres and a thickness of 3 metres, there are semi-circular turrets every 20 metres which stand up to 8 metres above the walls themselves. Truly impressive!
Here is a photo of the wall, The red line, shows the parts of the wall that are open to the public and the access points:
There are more details about the wall on the following website: muralla de avila.
I bought my entrance ticket at Casa de las Carnicerías, Puerta del Peso de la Harina:
Here are the entrance fees:
They give you an audio guide:
I walked in an anti-clockwise direction to the Puerta del Puente. Here are the stunning photos:
Antiguo Convento del Carmen in Avila:
And then I went to The 4 Posts on the edge of town.
This small Hermitage of San Sebastián, popularly known as Los Cuatro Postes dates from 1566 and is formed of four monolithic Doric columns and in the centre, a granite cross:
This small Hermitage of San Sebastián, popularly known as Los Cuatro Postes dates from 1566 and is formed of four monolithic Doric columns and in the centre, a granite cross:
Nearby are the Las Letronas Ávila. The letters of Ávila.
Ávila or Avila is a Spanish or Galician surname, originally de Ávila, from Ávila, most likely Ávila in Spain. What's interesting here is, that Avila is the family name of Miss CDMXs grandfather on her mother's side. And well, how could I not come here?
Here are some photos of the wall on the northern side which show just how formidable they are:
Here are some photos of the wall on the northern side which show just how formidable they are:
The Puerta de la Santa:
The Puerta del Alcázar:
And within the city walls are many sights worthy of you time. This Avila Tourism page details on what there is to see in Ávila, far better than I could ever hope for, so make sure you check them out but I'll give you some photos from my day trip to the City of Ávila.
Near the northeastern corner of the wall is the Basilica of San Vicente de Ávila. This Catholic church was built in Romanesque style with Gothic features and dates back to the 11th century.
The Plaza Mercado Chico is a good place to have a meal or a coffee:
The Romanesque-Gothic Ávila Cathedral is said to be the oldest Gothic-style Cathedral in Spain. It stands on the remains of an original building, devoted to El Salvador.
It's always hard to get a good photo of such impressive buildings.
It's always hard to get a good photo of such impressive buildings.
Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol:
