Ávila: UNESCO World Heritage, City Walls and Culture

In 1985, Ávila was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The UNESCO World Heritage site comprises the walled city of Ávila as well as four Romanesque churches located outside the city walls: San Segundo, San Andrés, San Vicente and San Pedro.

Culture

The Muralla de Ávila has 87 semicircular towers and nine gates. It is considered one of the best-preserved examples of fully intact defensive architecture in the world. Construction of the Basílica de San Vicente began around 1120; its towers and entrance narthex were built approximately between 1150 and 1170. The basilica is regarded in Ávila as an important model of Romanesque architecture and as a unique example of Hispanic Romanesque architecture.

The Basílica de San Vicente also contains a mid-12th-century cenotaph of Fruchel. It depicts the capture, condemnation and martyrdom of Saints Vicente, Cristeta and Sabina. The Basílica de Santa Teresa was built over the birthplace of Teresa de Cepeda y Ahumada; beneath the church is a large vaulted crypt that now serves as the Teresiana Museum.

The Real Monasterio de Santo Tomás was built from 1482 to 1493 under the patronage of Hernando Núñez de Arnalte, María Dávila, Tomás de Torquemada and the Catholic Monarchs. The palace of the Real Monasterio de Santo Tomás houses a museum of Oriental art and a museum of natural sciences. The Centro de Interpretación de la Mística introduces visitors to the phenomenon of mysticism and is divided into four halls: Tradition, Self-Knowledge, Enlightenment and Action.

The restored Palacio de Los Superunda contains the palace furnishings, a large part of the paintings by the aforementioned artist, and two large-format portraits by Joaquín Sorolla.

The Tenerías Judías de San Segundo are tanneries of Jewish origin that have been restored and designated as a BIC, in the category of an archaeological ensemble. They have been temporarily closed since March 1, 2024.

Experiences

The Jornadas Medievales are also known as the “Mercado de las Tres Culturas” and have been recognized as a Fiesta of National Tourist Interest. They take place on the first weekend of September and feature processions, tournaments, performances, food and music. A traditional food market takes place every Friday of the year in Plaza del Mercado Chico.

West of Ávila, on the outskirts of the city, Los Cuatro Postes stands on the left bank of the Adaja River. The structure is a small hermitage dedicated to San Sebastián. Visitors who wish to organize their sightseeing themes can distinguish between fortifications, Romanesque architecture, mysticism, museums, festival culture and the food market; the places and dates mentioned offer different focal points for planning their visit.

For a holiday apartment in Ávila, you can compare travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions on the offers page. These three details relate to the personal timeframe and contractual arrangements of your stay.

Other Places

Vicolozano is also directly associated with Ávila: Vicolozano. Other places at the same higher-level classification are Santiago Del Collado, Piedralaves, Navalonguilla, Nava Del Barco, Velayos, Villarejo Del Valle and Higuera De Las Dueñas.

For the higher-level travel overview: Avila.