www: avilaturismo.com/
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Km. West from Madrid, Avila is about as far
as one would want to go on a daytrip from Madrid.
The city's main attraction is its medieval wall,
almost 2 km (1.5 miles) long and still in remarkably
good condition. Built into the wall is the cathedral,
begun in the 12th century but requiring nearly
600 years to complete. Just outside the city
wall is the Basilica de San Vincente, built
between the 12th and 14th century. Almost as
large as the cathedral itself, the basilica
was supposedly built at the site where Saint
Vincent and his sisters were martyred. Their
martyrdom is depicted in moving fashion inside
the basilica on the martyrs' tomb.
Avila is also famous as the home of Santa
Teresa de Jesús (Saint Theresa),
the famous Spanish mystic and writer. Dedicated
to her memory is a small exhibit in the San
Juan Bautista church containing both manuscripts
and relics, including several of her knuckle
bones.
One
final note: due to its high elevation Avila
is known for both cold weather and strong winds.
Cercanías trains to Avila travel from Madrid's Chamartín railway station every 2-3 hours. Buses depart
from Estación
del Sur de autobuses. By car one should
take the N-VI or Carretera de la Coruña,
direction Galicia.
