Avila is best known for its medieval town walls. It is an easy day trip either from Madrid or Salamanca. We wanted to come here in 2011 when we visited Spain for the first time, but couldn't fit it in our schedule. I am glad we got to see it this time.
From Avila train station, follow signs for 'i', we finally came to Basilica de San Vicente, and saw the famous Avila walls next to it.
1. Basilica de San Vicente and the Avila Walls.
2. Basilica de San Vicente is famous for its cenotaph of Christian martyrs Vicente and his siblings.
3. The cenotaph narrates the arrest, torture and killing of the three siblings.
4. The other side of the cenotaph.
5. The main altar.
After visiting the church, we walked outside the walls following other tourists, found a TI office, got a map, and found that its upstairs was also one of the entrances to climb the walls. Ticket cost €5 per person, which covered both the long and short sections of the walls (enter at different entrances), and include an automatic audio guide.
6. Walking toward the TI office.
7. From the Avila Walls.
8. Walking on the walls.
9. Buildings inside the walls.
10. From one of the towers looking outside of the walls.
11. The stairs to the towers were steep, narrow and uneven.
12. Section of the walls that was closed.
13. Avila Walls which are 2,516 meters long, including 88 semicircular towers.
14. Avila Cathedral was under renovation. The apse of the Cathedral is part of the walls. You can't walk that section, that is why the entrances to the long and short sections of the walls are located near two sides of the Cathedral.
15. The gate near the entrance to the short section of the walls.
I wish the weather was better, but even in the rain, the walls looked amazing!
(To be continued)
