Ávila

Ávila is a Spanish city located in the heart of the Amblés valley, in Castile and León. It is situated next to the Adaja river and stands out for being the provincial capital with the highest altitude in Spain.

There is a great debate about the origin of the city. On one hand, several studies suggest that “Obila” was founded by the Vettones in the second half of the 2nd century BC. Others propose that the city was founded during the Roman era. Its greatest splendour was experienced under Roman rule around the 2nd century.

There is little data about the arrival of the Visigoths and the Muslim invasion. It is known that practically from the 8th century, the city suffered incursions from Christian kingdoms. Ávila was an area of dispute in the following centuries, continuously changing from Christian to Andalusian hands. Finally, in the 11th century, Alfonso VI of León began a repopulation process in the already conquered area. Ávila was a frontier point that had to be fortified, being a crucial defensive zone.

During the reign of the Catholic Monarchs, the city experienced great splendour thanks to the continuous relocation of the court, which used to settle in Ávila for periods.

From this entire period, various heritage constructions have survived to the present day. The Romanesque walls are among the most splendid and well-preserved in Europe. Additionally, the Cathedral is also a must-visit. It is a gothic treasure inspired by French cathedrals. The Convent of the Incarnation and the Royal Monastery of Santo Tomás are also outstanding, in Renaissance style.

Within the walls of Ávila, there are also a number of bars and restaurants where you can try typical dishes of the area such as suckling pig or the "yemas de Santa Teresa". As for festivals and events, the annual Medieval Market or the Street Theatre and Circus Arts Festival should be mentioned.