City walk through the old town of Avila

Avila, the capital of the province of Avila in the autonomous community Castile and León, is the highest-altitude provincial capital of Spain, at 1131 meters above sea level. It is located 110 km northwest of Madrid.

A highlight is the city wall built between the 11th and 14th century. At that time, Avila lay in the bordering area between Moors and Christians. There was always a risk of attacks. the city wall is approx. 2.500 m long time and completely preserved. The city wall and the multitude of Romanesque and Gothic churches gave Avila the nickname City of Stones and Saints.

Within the city walls, the old town offers little space. Narrow, crooked lanes as well as houses and nobility palaces that can hardly be seen from the outside, characterize the medieval townscape.

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The old city still preserves its 16th-century character. Together with its churches outside the city wall was listed as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.

Exploring the old town of Avila

We start with our tour in Avila next to the cathedral at the eastern town gate. It can be recognized well that the cathedral is an integral part of the fortification wall. You find many restaurants in this area. In the evenings, life takes place here.

We head south to “Plaza de Santa Teresa de Jesus”. The church Iglesia de San Pedro Apósto is located at the other end of the square.

The mighty city wall is impressive. We look amazed at the massive bulwarks before we pass the mighty city gate Puerta del Alcazar.

When we reach the Mercado de Abastos, we can not help but take a look. Here you find a huge variety of meat, fruit, and vegetables.

Then we visit the former Jewish synagogue in the “Travesia Santo Domingo”. The Convento de Santa Teresa de Jesus is on the other side of Calle la Dama. There is a “Diputacion Provincial de Avila” and the “Agencia Estatal de Administracion Tributaria” at the Plaza Coral de las Campanas.

We take the “Calle los Cepedas” through a city gate and reach a small park in front of the city walls. From here we have a wonderful panorama view over the surrounding countryside up to the Sierras. The “Iglesia de Santiago” can easily be discovered.

Back in the old town, we pass the “Plazuela de Pedro Davila” and reach the “Plaza Tentiente Arevalo” with the seat of the bishopric (Obispado de Avila). In Calle del Duradero we take a look into the courtyard of “Ayuntamiento De Ávila – Palacio de los Verdugo “.

Last, we pay a visit to the “Plaza Concepcion Arenal” which is bordered by a bastion on one side of the city wall. To the right is the “Parador de Avila”. The former palace is a hotel today.

Next to it, the excavations in Avila are documented in the underground walls and some finds are also displayed. On the left-hand side is the museum “Junta de Castilla y Leon Archivia Historico Provincial de Avila”, also with archaeological finds from Avila.

Route in Map

Please read on> Walk on the city walls

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