Explore Avila

The Cathedral The Cathedral is both a church and a fortress built into the city/s defensive enclosure. The Cathedral was begun in the Romanesque style and later continued in the Gothic style. Construction on Ávila Cathedral began in 1095 shortly after the Reconquest. The earliest parts were in the Romanesque style and built like a fortress—the apse (the "Cimorro") actually forms an integral part of the city walls. Inside, you can see the change from Romanesque to Gothic. The earlier, Romanesque parts are made of a red-and-white mottled stone, while the Gothic main structure is made of pure white stone. Above the main entrance to the cathedral is a missing tower, evidence that the cathedral remains unfinished. In the Cathedral Museum one can find outstanding sculptures and artistic works, as well as interesting and valuable pieces in precious metal. Among them is a monstrance of exceptional quality, made by Juan de Arfe and other paintings, sculptures and works of embroidery from between the 12th and 18th centuries, which make up a highly valuable artistic collection. Here there is a large reredos painted by Pedro de Berruguete, Juan de Borgoñay Santa Cruz, showing scenes from the life of Jesus. Here also is the elaborate marble tomb (which was made by Vasco de la Zarza in the 16th century) of a 15th-century bishop Don Alonso de Madrigal known as El Tostado (the "swarthy").

Basilica de San Vicente The Basilica of San Vicente was erected in the 12th century next to the site where three Saints were martyred during times of the Roman emperor Diocletianus. The 12th-century doorways and portico of the Basilica de San Vicente are considered fine examples of Romanesque architecture. The basilica has three very high naves and three apses. The large nave has a triforium covered by a dome with Gothic fan-vaulting; the apses have pipe and bowl domes. The domes are supported by large cruciform pillars on cylindrical plinths. Behind the basilica sits the church of San Andrés, a Romanesque building that holds in its interior the most important decorated capitals of those still preserved in the city. The interior is graced with beautiful vaults and the sarcophagus of San Vicente, an important funerary monument attributed to master Fruchel. The tomb narrates the violent story of his martyrdom. In the crypt, you can visit the rocky crag where Vincent was executed and where the serpent later supposedly appeared.

Convento de San José This is the first convent that St. Teresa founded in 1562.The church was built in the beginning of the 17th century by Francisco de Mora and became the model for the rest of the temples that would be later constructed for the Order of the Carmelites. The convent contains various relics and memorabilia of the saint. The church has only one nave, covered by a vaulted ceiling with a cupola above the transept. Today It houses the St. Therese Museum of the Discalced Carmelites. It was declared a National Monument in 1968.

Convento de la Encarnación Beyond the confines of the walled enclosure sits the monastery of Encarnación, erected in the 16th century and where Santa Teresa lived as a nun for more than 20 years. An important pilgrimage stop, this Carmlelite convent is where Teresa wrote, and had many of her mystical experiences. Today, the Convento de la Encarnación houses a museum dedicated to St. Teresa. Here you can visit her monastic cell and tour other rooms associated with the saint. Inside the monastery, is worth stopping at the places that the writer frequented, such as her cell or the chapel of Transverberation.

Los Cuatro Postes (The Four Posts) The visit to Avila can conclude at the viewpoint of Cuatro Postes, which presents one of the most beautiful views of the medieval walled enclosure. Los Cuatro Postes is a little shrine 1.5km outside the walled city of Ávila. The "Four Posts" is located a pleasant 15 minutes stroll away from the center and an ideal place from which to take photos. A cross covered by a four-posted canopy marks the spot where, at age seven, St. Teresa's uncle stopped her from running off to seek martyrdom from the Moors.

Convento de Santa Teresa Ávila contains two main shrines for pilgrims seeking to honor St. Teresa, along with a few other sites associated with the saint. The primary shrine is the Convento de Santa Teresa (Convent of St. Teresa). Located on the Plaza de la Santa, this is a 17th-century convent built over the site of Teresa's birth that contains her relics. The exhibit of St. Teresa's relics include a finger from her right hand, the sole of one of her sandals, her rosary beads, and a cord she used to flagellate herself. Also on the site is a small garden where St. Teresa played as a young girl. The chapel is decorated with scenes of the saint demonstrating her powers of levitation.

Church of San Pedro The church of San Pedro, one of the oldest in Avila, dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Its construction began in 1100, at around the same time as the basilica of San Vicente. This church was built in Romanesque style. The sobriety that characterised this building attracted the most relevant figures of Avila for centuries. The most striking feature of the façade is its Cistercian rose window in the main front. The church has three naves and a triple apse. From the inside, the scant ornamentation contrast with the interesting series of paintings and reredos.