Cities in Spain: Avila

The administrative center of the province of the province, Avila (Avila, Avila de Los Caballeros) lies on the right bank of the Adaho river, halfway between Salamanca and Madrid. This is the most "Alpine" The provincial capital in Spain (1117-1182 m above sea level), as well as one of the oldest cities of the peninsula – the date of the founding of the city is considered to be the V century BC. NS. Interestingly, in contrast to many other Spanish cities, in the architecture of Avila Mauritanian influence almost unnoticed, which is not surprising – the famous border defensive system, created to protect Christian territories from Mavrov, guarded himself "City of Saints and Stones". Since 1985, Avila’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage List.

Business card of the city – complex of fortress structures (XI-XIV centuries., 82 Characteristic semicircular towers and 9 gates, total length more than 2.5 km) built on the site of Roman walls. Moreover, the fortress is ideally inscribed in the landscape and today is considered the largest and most fully preserved monument of medieval fortification art in Spain. The second symbol of the city is the Cathedral of Avila, built in the XI-XV centuries. As a fortress temple (it is really built into urban walls and is an integral element of the fortification system of the city). In subsequent years, the Cathedral was repeatedly rebuilt and today is an amazing pattern of a romance style mixing, Gothic and Renaissance (even a masonry here is multi-colored!) whose effect is enhanced by unique samples of stone thread and sculptural design. The cathedral itself is surrounded by old mansions, among which the Valderrabanos Palaces, or Casa de Gonzalo-d’Aavil (XVII in., Now there is parador, Palacio del Marquez de Velada (XVI in., Also re-equipped under the hotel), Palacio del Pedro-d’avila (XIII in.), the huge Episcopal Palace of Palacio-episcopal (XVI in.) other. Interestingly, each of these palaces also performed a defensive function, being a kind of inner bastion, covered by Puerta de Los Lelez entrance gates, Puerta del Peso de la Arina and others.

But the main point of attraction for both tourists and for pilgrims from the whole country is "Cradle of St. Teresa" – Monastery of Convento de Santa Teres, Baroque Church (1636 g.) And the house, where in 1515 this was born in many countries holy (now there is a museum here). The second museum dedicated to the Holy, is located in the conventional monastery of Convento de la Encarnacion (XV-XVI centuries., Rebuilt in XVIII in.) in which she was a prior. Nearby you can find the gate of Puerta de Santa Teres, Palace-de-Núñez-Vela Palaces (1541 g.) and Palacio de Polynynos (XVI in.).

Also well-known Churches of Santo-Tome El Vieho (XIII-XV centuries.), Nourera Senora de la Cabeza (XIII in.), Magdalena (XV-XVI centuries.), San Martin (XIII-XIV centuries.), San Nicholas (XIV-XV in.), San Esteban, San Segundo (XII in.), San Pedro (XII in.), San Andre, Santiago (XIV in.), San Juan de la Cruz and San Juan Bautista (XV-XVI centuries., It was here that Holy Teres was baptized), the first Christian Church of Avila – Basilica San Vicente (XI in., Also built directly to the fortress walls), Capella Noustore-Senora de Las Nyevez (XV in.), female Dominican Monastery and Chapel Mosen-Ruby (XVI-XVII centuries.), San Francisco Monasteries, Nourera Senora de Grassia (XVI in.), Nourera Senora de Antigua (XIII in., Now there is a cultural center of the Institute of St. Teres), El Real Monastery de Santo-Thomas (XV in., The Great Inquisitor Torquemada and Prince Juan is buried here – the only son of Ferdinand and Isabella), Convention de San Antonio (XVI in.) and monastery de-san Jose (the first monastery, founded by Teresa in 1562., Now here is the tomb of Lorenzo – Brother Saint), SERRANO Palaces (XVI in.), Casa de Suero del Aguile (1530 g.), Mansion de Los Aguel, Palacio de Don-Gaspar del Aguel and Palacio de Diego de Bracamonte (All – XVI to.), the former monastery of Santa Ana (now – the headquarters of Cortes of Castile and Leon), as well as the Palace of Casa del Rechidid-Ochoa-Aguirre (XVI in.) and Torreon-de-Los Gusmanes Palace-de-Garcibanez de Mushika Palace (XV in., Now here is the office of the regional government).

Reviews and studies of trips

Avila

They say that the highland Avila would be great to come in winter when it is snowing around, in no way inscribed in the stereotypical image of Central Spain. Read more →

sveta scorpic | June 2015

Walking for the three worlds, or in search of Spain: Avila

I would never have thought that the medieval city, surrounded by the walls, can make such an impression, however, the fact remains the fact – the castle city is chipped into the soul. Even the cathedral here is part of the defensive facilities of the city. Spanish Avila lives slowly: lifting cranes, here and there are sticking among the monasteries, they became an integral part of the city landscape, even storks were observed, they were observed, wearing fearlessly weird on the arrows of the nest cranes, and the aunties discussing some kind of burning theme were in the roads a few hours – we came across them, when only entered the city, and when they went out – they all stood and crackled about their women. Read more →