Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Avila is most famous for the walls that completely surround the city. Eighty-eight towers and nine gates are built into the walls, which are among the best-preserved medieval monuments in Spain. In addition to protecting the city from potential attackers, the walls were also meant to keep out diseases and to regulate the influx of goods. The walls are two miles long and 10 feet thick. Visitors can walk along the top of the walls, which average 40 feet in height, for a panoramic view of the city.
Considered the first Gothic cathedral in Spain, the 12th-century Avila Cathedral's interior illustrates a transition from Romanesque to Gothic architecture that occurred at the hands of architect Fruchel. The Romanesque portions of the cathedral can be distinguished by their red and white stones, in contrast to the Gothic parts of the building, which were built exclusively with white stones. On the exterior, the cathedral appears fortress-like and its defensive function is reinforced by the fact that its apse is built into the city's walls. Adding to the fortress likeness is the unfinished south tower that flanks the cathedral's main entrance along with the completed north tower.
Next door to the Avila Cathedral is the Cathedral Museum, which features religious artifacts as well as artwork by Pedro de Mena, Fernando Gallego and El Greco. Both the cathedral and the museum are open daily. Hours vary throughout the year.
Cathedral of Avila
Plaza de la Catedral
Avila, Spain 05001
011-34-920-21-16-41
The Avila Provincial Museum is housed in a Renaissance mansion known as Casa de los Deanes. The collection is grouped and displayed in four categories: Archaeology, Fine Arts, Ethnography and the Bullfighting. The archaeology section includes artifacts and relics from the Paleolithic period through the Middle Ages, while the fine arts collection features ceramics, Flemish paintings and weaponry. The museum is open from Tuesday through Saturday. Hours vary throughout the week and throughout the year. The museum also has an annex at the Church of Santo Tome Viejo that is open to visitors.
Avila Provincial Museum
Plaza de Nalvillos 3
Avila, Spain 05001
011-34-92-021-1003