Palacio de los Davila (Davila Palace), Avila

Palacio de los Davila (Davila Palace), Avila

Dávila Palace showcases a fusion of architectural styles spanning from the 13th to the 16th century. Dávila Palace is closely connected to Ávila's fortified city walls, illustrating its role as part of the city's defensive structure. It served as a second line of defense for the city, along with other palaces and mansions inhabited by nobles and clergy. The palace features architectural elements designed for defense, such as machicolations and merlons on the north front.

The oldest part of the palace appears to be the Gate of the Rastro, which dates back to the 13th century. This gate is an architectural relic and provides a glimpse into the medieval design of the palace.

The palace's architecture is marked by its diverse styles, reflecting the various periods in which it was built. Visitors can observe a juxtaposition of architectural elements, including Gothic and Renaissance styles. The palace evolved over time, with various elements added until the 16th century. The west front, with its geminate windows and pointed Gothic porch, dates back to the 13th century.

Additionally, there are doors and reliefs from the 14th century. A Renaissance window, added in 1541 by Pedro Dávila, is a notable feature of the palace. It is adorned with small columns and the coat of arms of the Dávila family. This window is associated with a legendary phrase: "Where one door closes, another one opens."

An intriguing 16th-century gallery-vantage point on the palace offers spectacular views of the surrounding area, particularly above the Gate of El Rastro.

The palace's courtyard features sculptures of Vetton animals and reflects the influence of the Mudejar architectural tradition, which is evident in various parts of the palace.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Avila. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Palacio de los Davila (Davila Palace) on Map

Sight Name: Palacio de los Davila (Davila Palace)
Sight Location: Avila, Spain (See walking tours in Avila)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Avila, Spain

Create Your Own Walk in Avila

Create Your Own Walk in Avila

Creating your own self-guided walk in Avila is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Avila Introduction Walking Tour

Avila Introduction Walking Tour

Perhaps the most 16th-century town in Spain, Ávila is the highest provincial capital in the country, perched over 1,130 meters above sea level on the right bank of the Adaja River. The altitude earned the city its name. Ávila's roots date back to pre-Roman times when the area was inhabited by the Vettones who built here a formidable fortress called Obila, meaning "High Mountain"....  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles