Spain - Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches

Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches (1985)
Spain

Founded in the 11th century to protect the Spanish territories from the Moors, this 'City of Saints and Stones', the birthplace of St Teresa and the burial place of the Grand Inquisitor Torquemada, has kept its medieval austerity.

This purity of form can still be seen in the Gothic cathedral and the fortifications which, with their 82 semicircular towers and nine gates, are the most complete in Spain.

Spain 1990. Church of San Vicente, Ávila.

Spain 1982. Santa Teresa of Ávila.

Spain 1990. Ávila, Church of San Vicente.
Spain 1982. The centenary of Santa Teresa of Ávila.

Ávila, or Ávila de los Caballeros, is a city in central Spain, the capital of Ávila Province, in Castile-León, on the Adaja River, near Madrid. The city is a commercial and tourist center situated in a livestock-raising region. Many fine monuments of medieval architecture remain, including a Gothic cathedral dating mostly from the 14th century and the well-preserved dark granite walls of the ancient city, with imposing gates and surmounted by many turrets, dating mainly from the 12th century.

Spain 2005. Cathedral of Ávila.

Spain 1972. View of the outside of the Dominican Monastery of Ávila. Spain 1972. Entry to the Dominican Monastery of Ávila.

Spain 1972. Views of the rather austere Dominican Monastery of Ávila.

Spain 2005. Souvenir sheet. Cathedral of Ávila. ,

Sources and links:

Microsoft Encarta 2002.

Other World Heritage Sites in Spain (on this site). Please refer to the UNESCO-listing, Spain-section, for further information on the individual properties.

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