Things to do in Ávila
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Real Monasterio de Santo Tomás
Commissioned by the Reyes Católicos (Catholic Monarchs), Fernando and Isabel, and completed in 1492, this monastery is an exquisite example of Isabelline architecture, rich in historical resonance. Three interconnected cloisters lead up to the church that contains the alabaster tomb of Don Juan, the monarchs’ only son. It is backed by an altarpiece by Pedro de Berruguete depicting scenes from the life of St Thomas Aquinas. The magnificent choir stalls, in Flemish Gothic style, are accessible from the upper level of the third cloister, the Claustro de los Reyes, so called because Fernando and Isabel often attended Mass here. It’s thought that the Grand Inquisitor Torquemad…
reviewed
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Ávila Catedral
Ávila’s 12th-century cathedral is not just a house of worship, but also an ingenious fortress: its stout granite apse forms the central bulwark in the heavily fortified eastern wall of the town. Although the main facade hints at the cathedral’s 12th-century, Romanesque origins, the church was finished 400 years later in a predominantly Gothic style, making it the first Gothic church in Spain. The sombre grey facade betrays some unhappy 18th-century meddling in the main portal.
The interior is a different story, with playful red-and-white limestone columns along the long, narrow central nave that makes the soaring ceilings seem all the more majestic. Renaissance-era c…
reviewed
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City Wall
With its eight monumental gates and 88 towers, Ávila's muralla (wall) stretches for 2.5km is one of the world's best-preserved medieval defensive perimeters. Raised to a height of 12m between the 11th and 12th centuries, on the remains of earlier efforts by the Muslims and Romans, the wall has been much restored and modified, with various Gothic and Renaissance touches and even some Roman stones re-used in the construction.
The most impressive gates, the Puerta de San Vicente and Puerta del Alcázar, are flanked by towers more than 20m high and stand on either side of the catedral's apse.
Walking along the walls affords fabulous views out over the countryside and down int…
reviewed
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El Monasterio de Santo Tomás
Commissioned by the Reyes Católicos (Catholic Monarchs), Fernando and Isabel, and completed in 1492, this monastery is an exquisite example of Isabelline architecture and is rich in historical resonance. Three interconnected cloisters lead up to the church that contains the alabaster tomb of Don Juan, the monarchs' only son. It's backed by an altarpiece by Pedro de Berruguete depicting scenes from the life of St Thomas Aquinas. The magnificent choir stalls, in Flemish Gothic style, are accessible from the upper level of the third cloister, the Claustro de los Reyes, so called because Fernando and Isabel often attended Mass here. It's thought that the Grand Inquisitor Tor…
reviewed
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Basílica de San Vicente
Much of Ávila’s religious architecture is sombre and brooding, but this graceful Romanesque church is a masterpiece of the subdued elegance of Romanesque style: a series of largely Gothic modifications in sober granite contrast with the warm sandstone of the Romanesque original. Work started in the 11th century, supposedly on the site where three martyrs – San Vicente and his sisters – were slaughtered by the Romans in the early 4th century. Their canopied cenotaph is an outstanding piece of Romanesque with nods to the Gothic; don’t forget to take a peek at the crypt.
reviewed
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Catedral
Ávila's 12th-century catedral is not just a house of worship, but also an ingenious fortress: its stout granite apse forms the central bulwark in the heavily fortified eastern wall of the town. Although the main facade hints at the cathedral's 12th-century, Romanesque origins, the church was finished 400 years later in a predominantly Gothic style, making it the first Gothic church in Spain. The sombre grey facade betrays some unhappy 18th-century meddling in the main portal.
reviewed
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Murallas
Ávila’s splendid 12th-century walls rank among the world’s best-preserved medieval defensive perimeters. Raised to a height of 12m between the 11th and 12th centuries, the walls stretch for 2.5km atop the remains of earlier Roman and Muslim battlements. They have been much restored and modified, with various Gothic and Renaissance touches, and even some Roman stones re-used in the construction. At dusk the walls attract swirls of swooping and diving swallows.
reviewed
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12th Century Walls
Ávila's splendid 12th-century walls rank among the world's best-preserved medieval defensive perimeters. Raised to a height of 12m between the 11th and 12th centuries, the walls stretch for 2.5km atop the remains of earlier battlements of the Muslims and Romans. They have been much restored and modified, with various Gothic and Renaissance touches and even some Roman stones re-used in the construction.
reviewed
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Monasterio de la Encarnación
North of the city walls, this unadorned monastery is where Santa Teresa fully took on the monastic life and lived for 27 years. A Renaissance complex modified in the 18th century, it contains further mementoes of her life, as well as a replica of her suitably spartan cell. To reach here, head north from Plaza de Fuente el Sol, via Calle de la Encarnación, for approximately half a kilometre.
reviewed
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Convento de Santa Teresa
The Convento de Santa Teresa, built in 1636 over the saint's birthplace, is the epicentre of the cult surrounding Teresa. The room where she was born in 1515 is now a chapel smothered in gold; it is lorded over by a baroque altar by Gregorio Fernández and features a statue of the saint.
reviewed
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La Bodeguita de San Segundo
Situated in the 16th-century Casa de la Misericordia, this superb wine bar is standing-room only most nights and more tranquil in the quieter afternoon hours when you can head for the clutch of chairs near the kitchen and enjoy unusual raciones (large tapas) like four cheese fondue.
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La Flor de Castilla
This patisserie-cum-restaurant is not only a fine place to buy a yema de Santa Teresa, (a sticky, ultra sweet cookie made of egg yolk and sugar), but also a rare place that serves red-meat alternatives like quiches and fettuccini with a choice of sauces.
reviewed
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Mesón del Rastro
The dark-wood beamed interior announces immediately that this is a bastion of robust Castilian cooking. Expect delicious mainstays such as judías del barco de Ávila and cordero asado (roast lamb) and, regrettably, the occasional coach tour.
reviewed
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Iglesia de Santo Tomé El Viejo
This church dates from the 13th century, and it was from this pulpit that Santa Teresa was castigated most vehemently for her reforms. It has been impressively restored to house mostly Roman foundation stones and a splendid floor mosaic.
reviewed
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Hostería Las Cancelas
Occupying a delightful interior patio dating back to the 15th century, this place is a mainstay of Ávila cuisine. If you're going to indulge in hearty local food, this is a good place to do so.
reviewed
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Cafétería Hergós
This pastry shop and café is the place to tuck into good-value platos combinados (combination plate), burgers and bocadillos (bread rolls with filling).
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Convento de San José
The unremarkable Convento de San José, the first convent Santa Teresa founded, in 1562. The saint herself is said to have helped build it.
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Restaurante Reyes Católicos
Fronted by a popular tapas bar, this place has bright decor and an accomplished kitchen that churns out traditional dishes that benefit from a creative tweak.
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Café del Adarve
Café del Adarve has quirky decor, edgy art exhibitions, weekend DJs and regular live jazz on Thursdays. There’s a terrace for al fresco quaffing in summer.
reviewed
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Posada de la Fruta
Simple tasty meals can be had in a light-filled, covered courtyard, while the traditional comedor (dining room) caters to a conservative palate.
reviewed
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Iglesia de San Pedro
One of the city’s later churches, its light, sandstone exterior is a pleasant complement to the granite austerity that reigns inside the city walls.
reviewed
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Iglesia de San Andrés
Located north of the old city and dating from the 12th century, this is Ávila’s oldest church and a pure example of Romanesque architecture.
reviewed
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Iglesia de San Juan Bautista
The 16th-century Iglesia de San Juan Bautista contains the baptismal font in which Teresa was baptised.
reviewed
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El Almacén
One of Ávila's premier restaurants, you'll pay top dollar here for excellent food, wine and views of the city wall.
reviewed
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Puerta de los Leales
The access point at Puerta de los Leales has a walk of 300m. The last ticket is sold at 7.30pm.
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