Weekend in Avila

Once you leave your bags at the hotel, it's time to take a walk around the city to start getting to know it. Ávila, declared a World Cultural Heritage Site, is known for its fabulous medieval wall that you will surely see as soon as you arrive. Take the opportunity to discover the city at night, eat something typical of the region and take a walk through its streets.

Today's day begins with a visit to the Ávila City Wall, an icon of the city. You can access it from the Puerta del Alcázar as it is the most emblematic, although it is also possible to do it from the Casa de las Carnicerías and the Puerta del Puente. This impressive medieval wall from the 11th century has a perimeter of 2,516 meters, 87 towers, 9 access gates, including the Gate of San Vicente and the Puerta del Alcázar, 2 gatekeepers and 2,500 merlons, and boasts of being the best-preserved walled enclosure in Spain. It has been the setting for serval movies. But best of all, you can walk much of its layout and stroll above the walls. From there you will be able to see the intense green color below and how beautiful the city is. 

Leaving the wall, if you go down the street of the Old Cross, you will reach the Cathedral of Christ the Savior or Cathedral of Avila. While it is true that its facade is not very striking, but rather austere, the interior is worth it. Of Romanesque style and with more than 300 years of construction, you can appreciate elements of different influences such as the Gothic, observable in its impressive High Altarpiece, and the Renaissance, which highlights the laborious Choir, worked in detail on walnut wood, and the Trascoro, pilasters decorated with high reliefs depicting The Presentation in the Temple, The Adoration of the Kings and The Slaughter of the Innocents. Another part of the cathedral you can not miss is the Girola, not only because it is the oldest element of the temple and the most architecturally important, but because it is a real beauty. Of course, do not leave without taking a tour of the cloister. 

And from the Cathedral we go to the Basilica of San Vicente, located outside the walls, passing through the Puerta de San Vicente. It will take us no more than a five-minute walk to get there. This is the advantage of walled cities, which have everything just a few steps away. Arriving at the basilica, you will see that its facade is a different color from the rest, perhaps a little orange. Also in Romanesque style, the work on this parish church, still in use with worship celebrations, began in the year 1120. According to tradition, it was here that St. Vincent was martyred and buried and, as a result, the church was named Basilica of St. Vincent. After leaving the basilica, head towards the Plaza del Mercado Chico along Calle López Núñez. On the way, you will pass the Palacio de Monjaraz and the City Hall, next to the square. In this area of the old city, you will find a variety of restaurants where you can eat and rest.  

In the afternoon, you can take the opportunity to visit the Convent and birthplace of Santa Teresa de Jesús. This Carmelite Baroque church was built over the house where Teresa de Cepeda y Ahumado was born, now the chapel of Santa Teresa. Below it is the Teresian museum, in the large crypt of burials. The façade is divided into three parts in which the image of the Saint in marble and the coats of arms of the Cepeda and Ahumada families stand out. In the same square where the Church of Santa Teresa is located, you will also find the Hall of Relics and a small souvenir shop in case you want to take some souvenirs home.

There is nothing better than watching the sunset from the viewpoint of Avila, the shrine of the four poles. Walking you will get there in about 15 minutes, passing by the Roman Bridge of Avila that crosses the Adaja River. After this, you just have to enjoy the beautiful night of Avila and, why not, enjoy a good steak. with a nice bottle of local wine