Avila Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Avila

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". After the Roman conquest, it came to be known as Abila or Abela.

Throughout the early medieval period, Ávila became a stronghold and alternated between Moorish and Christian rule until the 11th century, when many noble families settled here. With its numerous aristocratic palaces, the town became known as "Ávila of the knights", "Ávila of the king", "Ávila of the loyal ones", each of these epithets being present in the town standard.

Distinctively known by its medieval walls, Ávila is also sometimes referred to as the “Town of Stones and Saints,” boasting the highest number of Romanesque and Gothic churches per capita in Spain.

Ávila's heyday was in the 16th century when the mystical following of Santa Teresa de Jesús made it an important pilgrimage destination. Subsequently, Ávila experienced a decline in the 17th century, but in the 19th century, the construction of a railway line brought some growth.

The wealth of exceptional monuments and the old-world ambiance saw Ávila declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

As you traverse the city, make sure to visit Big Market Square (Plaza del Mercado Grande), a bustling spot that has been the heart of commerce and social gatherings for centuries.

The Flour Weight Gate (Puerta del Peso de la Harina) offers another glimpse into Avila's historical past. The nearby Avila Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, is a must-see and true architectural gem, much like the Saint Vincent Basilica, not far away.

For a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings, head to the Viewpoint of the Four Posts (Mirador de los Cuatro Postes) to appreciate Avila's beauty in all its glory.

American filmmaker Orson Welles once named Ávila the place in which he would most desire to live, calling it both strange and tragic at the same time. Inside the perfectly preserved walls of Ávila, visitors are transported to a world where time seems to have stood still since 16th-century. As you explore Avila's historical treasures, just take a moment to reflect on them and feel yourself immersed in their richness...