Ávila

UNESCO city

With a magnificent city wall with a length of 2.5 km. It is also known as the city of knights. An important person for Ávila was Santa Teresa, who started the monastic order of the Discalced Carmelites. It is also the hometown of Adolfo Suárez. A Political person who has played an important role in the modern history of Spain.

But not only the city wall is Avila’s only attraction. It is a city with many convents, each one with its charm and importance in the history of Spain. City with the oldest Gothic Cathedral of Spain (1170) which is embedded in its city wall. Ávila has maintained its character with its small streets and imposing buildings. This town is located at an altitude of 1,132 meters, which makes it the highest provincial capital in Spain.

Visit. Duration: 2 horas

We start from the Basilica of San Vicente, a 12th century Romanesque temple. Following the city walls we head to the Cathedral, the first Gothic cathedral in Spain. We walk towards the large market square and continue route to the convent of San José to enter the city through the gate of the Rastro. Once inside the city walls we will visit the birth house of Santa Teresa that has been converted into a church and we will end up in the small market square.

During this route we do not visit any monuments from the inside. We can extend this tour with a visit to the Basilica of San Vicente, the Cathedral and/or the city walls . Total time then will be 3.5 hours.

Outside the city walls there are two monasteries that are worth visiting.

Reincarnation Monastery . Santa Teresa lived in this place for 39 years. From here she prepared the reform of Carmel.

Royal Monastery of Santo Tomás It was built by the treasurer of the Catholic Monarchs, Hernán Núñez de Arnalte. Fray Tomás de Torquemada, the infamous inquisitor, lived here. One of the largest monasteries in Spain with a magnificent church and beautiful cloisters, This monastery was used as a university.