El Barco de Ávila: Culture, Nature and History

El Barco de Ávila is located at the foot of the Sierra de Gredos and on the Tormes River. Its historic ensemble has been protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the category of Historic Ensemble. The urban layout developed during the repopulation period between the 10th and 11th centuries.

When comparing holiday apartments in El Barco de Ávila, check the travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions on the respective offer pages. This allows you to compare the offers based on your travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions.

Other destinations: Velayos, El Tiemblo, Muñogalindo, Blacha, Navarredonda De Gredos, Horcajo de las Torres, El Arenal, Villanueva De Ávila

Culture

The Plaza Mayor is the most important urban gathering place, laid out in a rectangular shape, enclosed and lined with arcades; it embodies traditional vernacular architecture. The medieval city wall has a pentagonal ground plan, and large sections of its course have been preserved. The Puerta del Ahorcado, also known as the Puerta de Piedrahíta, is a reconstructed Romanesque gate in the medieval city wall.

The Iglesia de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora was originally built in the 12th century, extensively remodelled in the 14th century and declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931. The parish museum is now housed in the sacristy and chapter house. The Puente Románico has eight arches, all of which are different. The Casa de los Gasca has a chamfered corner façade from the 15th century with benches, columns and monoliths.

According to a tourist description, the Castillo de Valdecorneja was built in the 12th century and reconstructed in the 14th century. The courtyard of the Castillo de Valdecorneja hosts the recurring programmes Verano Cultural and Noches de Cine en El Castillo; Verano Cultural takes place in August at the Castillo de Valdecorneja.

The Oficina de Turismo de El Barco de Ávila is located at Plaza de la Constitución 7.

Nature

The Ruta Cultural Accesible y Autoguiada is approximately 3.5 kilometres long and signposted with directional arrows and interpretive information boards. It leads on foot or by bicycle through the most important cultural heritage sites of El Barco de Ávila.

The Ruta por la Ribera del Tormes is an approximately five-kilometre round trip near El Barco de Ávila along the Tormes River. It passes through riparian woodland and continues into a holm oak stand, allowing two different ecosystems to be observed along the short route.

Among other species, kingfishers, cormorants, herons and otters can be observed on the Ruta por la Ribera del Tormes. The different route lengths and modes of transport help you compare two different ways of discovering the area.

Festivals

The Fiestas in honour of the Santísimo Cristo del Caño last for three festive days over the weekend of the first Sunday in September. On Friday evening, the revered image is carried in procession from the hermitage to the parish church.

La Alameda is designated as a bathing area in El Barco de Ávila.

Food

There are traditional, locally typical ways of preparing the various types of beans produced in the protected area.

To the higher-level travel overview: Avila.