Ávila Ávila de los Caballeros Ávila del Rey Ávila de los leales
Ávila with its famous city walls, as seen from a distance
Flag Seal
Motto(s):  [Una ciudad para todos...] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) (Spanish for "A city for everyone...")
Country	Spain
Autonomous Community	Castile and León
Province	Ávila
Government
• Mayor	Miguel Ángel García Nieto (PP)
Area
• Land	231.9 km2 (89.5 sq mi)
Elevation	1,182 m (3,665 ft)
Population  (2009)
• Total	59,272
• Density	226.87/km2 (587.6/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	05001 - 05006
Area code	34 (Spain) + 920 (Ávila)
Website	http://www.avila.es Template:Es icon

Ávila (Latin: Abila and Óbila) is a Spanish city located in the autonomous community of Castile and Leon, capital of the province of the same name.

"Ávila de los Caballeros" is an honorific title of the city. Another is "Ávila del Rey" and yet another "Ávila de los leales" are all present in the flag of the city.

The city is notable for having a complete medieval city walls, romanesque.

It is also one of the cities with the highest number of churches (romanesque and gothic) and catering establishments in relation to the number of its inhabitants.

It is considered by many as the city of «Song and Saints». It said the writer José Martínez Ruiz «Azorín», after writing «The Castilian Soul» which was «perhaps the most 16th century city of Spain».

The city is 1131 meters (3665 feet) above sea level, the highest provincial capital in Spain. It is built on the flat summit of a rocky hill, which rises abruptly in the midst of a veritable wilderness: a brown, arid, treeless table-land, strewn with immense grey boulders, and shut in by lofty mountains. This results in an extreme climate, with very hard and long winters, and short summers.

The climate in Ávila is Mediterranean (Csb, according to the Köppen climate classification), with warm summers and chilly winters, with the occurrence of snowfalls. This climate borders on a cold semi-arid climate (BSk). The hottest month, July, has an average temperature of 19.7 °C (67.4 °F), and the coldest month, January, has an average of 2.8 °C (37 °F). The average annual precipitation is 400 mm (15.74 in).

In pre-Roman times (5th century BC), it was inhabited by the Vettones, who called it Obila ("High Mountain") and had here one of their strongest fortresses.

Ávila may have been the ancient town known as Abula, mentioned by Ptolemy in his Geographia (II 6, 60) as being located in the Iberian region of Bastetania.^[1] Abula is mentioned as one of the first cities in Hispania that was Christianized, specifically by Saint Secundus (San Segundo).^[1] However, Abula may have been the town of Abla.^[1] After the conquest by the Romans, it was called Abila or Abela. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Ávila was a stronghold of the Visigoths. Conquered by the Arabs (who called it Ābila, آبلة), it was repeatedly attacked by the northern Iberian Christian kingdoms, after which it remained virtually uninhabited. It was repopulated in the 11th century, after the definitive capture of the area by the Christians, under Raymond of Burgundy.

The city lived a period of prosperity under the Catholic Monarchs (early 16th century) and their successors Charles V and Philip II of Spain, but decayed again starting from the 18th century, when it reduced to just 4,000 inhabitants.

Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Criteria	Cultural: iii, iv
Reference	348
Inscription	1985 (9th Session)

In religious architecture, stands the Cathedral (12th-15th century) and military function by his fortified bedside, the romanesque churches of San Vicente (12th-14th centuries) and San Pedro and the Monastery of Santo Tomás (15th century residence summer of the Catholic Monarchs).

The master Fruchel begins works inspired by the Basilica of St Denis church giving the appearance of sobriety and classicism, brings with it the early gothic structures, making the work in initiating the penetration of gothic architecture. In the 14th century Bishop D. Sancho Dávila reactive the works.

• • Northern facade: Gothic style at left and added renaissance at right. Portada de los Apóstoles.
  • Western front: Burgundian style, with two towers forming a covered gateway.
  • Interior: Latin cross with three naves, a crossing and ambulatory.
  • Mayor Chapel: It highlights the monumental altarpiece by Pedro Berruguete from 1499 until his death.
  • Altar of San Segundo: Attached to a column of the cruise. Renaissance style.
  • Altar of Santa Catalina: Made of alabaster.
  • Choir and Rood screen: Renaissance style, is designed with two highs of seats and decorated with reliefs depicting scenes of saints. The rood screen is a work carved in limestone.
  • Cloister: Access from the romanesque cathedral by a door from the south aisle. Gothic style.

• Construction began in the 12th century and lasted until the 14th. Its design is attributed to the French master Giral Fruchel, the author himself from the cathedral and pioneer of the gothic style in Spain.
• The overall structure is similar to the Latin basilicas. It has a Latin cross plan, three naves, dome, tribunes, three apses, atrium, two towers and crypt.
• All the facade and the environment where it is located are of great artistic value.
• Interior: Latin cross room with three naves. The pillars are of a Greek cross with half columns on the heads.
• Crypt: Consists of three chapels, for the three apses of the church are mainly romanesque and have the best capitals of the monument.

Highlight the tomb of Saint Peter of the Boat and, above all, the Cenotaph of the Holy Brothers Martyrs, the head of the temple, Saint Vincent of Avila, and her sisters, along with the torture he suffered in the 4th century, Saint Sabina and Saint Cristeta, (Cenotafio de los santos Vicente, Sabina y Cristeta), one of the most important works of Romanesque sculpture in Spain.

• Start Date: about 1100.
• It is located outside the city walls in the Plaza de Mercado Grande at the door of the Alcazar. Presents analogous with that of San Vicente.
• Latin cross floor and three naves of five sections. Apsidal chapels: mayor chapel, chapel of the south apse and chapel of the north apse.

Beautiful hermitage located to the west of Avila, outside the city walls, on the right bank of the Adaja river. Highlights the sculpted capitals in which the sculptor is the footprint of the apse of San Andrés. Alabaster statue made by Juan de Juni. Popular belief has it that introducing a handkerchief in the tomb and asking for three wishes, the saint granted one. His pilgrimage is celebrated on May 2, being the patron of Avila.

16th century palace is located inside the wall and attached to it as junt walk through the door of San Vicente, defended the access of Muslim troops. Located on a busy street by different arms of the Águila family.

Real Monasterio de Santo Tomás is a Dominican convent in the late 15th century. Despite being away from the historic center, is one of the most important monuments of the city.

Located 6 km from the capital, is this sanctuary in a beautiful area, housing a restaurant, hostel, picnic areas, playgrounds, etc.

There is located the statue of the Virgin of Sonsoles, co-patroness of Ávila and patroness of the fields in the province.

It is tradition in this city make pilgrimage to the sanctuary, making a wish to the Virgin and to get to the door barefoot until enter the church.

Finally, in civil architecture, the Valderrábanos Palace (15th century), the Casa de los Deanes (16th century), the Torreón de los Guzmanes and the Verdugos Palace (15th-16th centuries) are the most important buildings.

Its main monument is the imposing Walls of Ávila (11th-14th centuries), the medieval work was started in 1090. The fenced area is of 31 hectares with a perimeter of approximately 2,516 meters, 88 blocks or semicircular towers, 2,500 merlons, paintings by 3 m. thick, an average height of 12 m. and 9 gates. It is the largest fully illuminated monument in the world.

• In mid 2007, work began on the convention center. In April 2009 the construction was completed, opening its doors since then.
• The building designed by architect Francisco José Mangado is of modern style. Its extension is constructed of 19,800 m², which would add the area corresponding to the neighboring gardens and parking.
• There is a large symphony hall, large glass galleries, café, restaurant, conference room, catering services, storage, reception, store room, etc.
• The symphony hall has a capacity for 2,000 guests and the secondary hall for 500. The two conference rooms haves each one 1,000 seats.

• Museum of Ávila
• Museum of la Encarnación
• Museum of Santa Teresa
• Museum of the Cathedral
• Museo of Santo Tomás
• Museum of Oriental Art
• Museum of Natural Sciences
• Living Water
• Hall of Torreón de los Guzmanes
• Sala de la Diputación
• Sala del Episcopio
• Museum Caprotti (future museum located in the Superunda Palace currently under rehabilitation, which will house the work of Italian painter Guido Caprotti (1887–1966), based in Avila from 1916).

Avila has 2 Universities:

• Catholic University of Ávila (UCAV).
• University of Mysticism, which became operational on September 2, 2008.

And 3 colleges to the University of Salamanca (USAL)

• The Polytechnic School of Avila.
• The College of Education and Tourism in Avila.
• The School of Nursing

• City Sport: swimming Pool, heated pool, tennis, paddle tennis, athletics, football, basketball, etc..
• North Zone: heated pool, football, basketball and tennis.
• Abulense Casino Club: pools, golf, tennis, paddle, cafeteria, restaurant, football, skating, basketball etc.
• Naturavila: golf, swimming, horse riding, walking, basketball, paddle tennis, football.
• San Antonio Sports Hall: in the north of the city is a large covered pavilion with basketball courts, tennis, soccer, squash, climbing.
• Polideportivo Carlos Sastre, on the outskirts of the city. His inauguration took place on January 30, 2009 by a friendly match between Óvila Club de Basket of LEBPlata and LEB C.B. León has basketball courts, soccer, tennis, volleyball, etc.

The first public festival after the winter cold is the Holy week. The temperature is cold, especially at night, so one should not forget warm clothes.

Avila holidays are October 15, Santa Teresa de Jesús, and May 2, San Segundo. The festivities take place around October 15 and the Summer Festival in mid July.

The Holy week as celebrated in Avila is considered of national tourist interest. It is one of the highest expressions of art and wealth as seen in numerous steps of Holy week along the city walls. Processions have fifteen and twelve fraternities.

The festivities of Santa Teresa last almost the entire month of October. The proclamation is done by the mayor in the Plaza Mayor, accompanied by some celebrity. After the proclamation was organized in the same place a musical performance with renowned singers.

The festival program includes several musical concerts, a fairground, bullfights, passacaglia, processions of the fan groups, chocolate with churros and liturgical acts naturally focus on the day of the patroness, on 15 October with multitudinous mass presided by Bishop, then celebrated a great procession, headed the image of Santa Teresa with the Virgin of La Caridad, and is accompanied by all the authorities of Ávila, civil and military, and several bands music. The procession takes place between the Cathedral of Avila and Santa Teresa Church. Takes place the day before the "Procession Girl" from the Iglesian de Santa Teresa to the Cathedral.

• Typical dishes of the city and region are "Judías del Barco", "Chuletón de Ávila", "Patatas revolconas" and "Yemas de Santa Teresa". Also worth mentioning is "Hornazo", "Bun stuffed with sausage, bacon, steak and eggs", "Mollejas de ternera" or the "Cochinillo", which can be found in the capital and in Arévalo.

This sweet can always be found in the traditional pastry shop "La Flor de Castilla". In the other bakeries in the city it is produced under the name "Yemas de Ávila", or simply "Yemas", produced as its name indicates from egg yolk.

This is a grilled T-bone steak, best cooked rare, which can be enjoyed in any hotel in the city. It is made from Avileña-Negra ibérica, an indigenous black cow of excellent meat, whose fame transcends the borders of the province and the country.

White beans from Barco de Avila cooked with sausage, chorizo, ear, etc.

• Vilanuèva d'Olt, France
• Rueil-Malmaison, France
• Teramo, Italy

• List of people from Ávila, Spain
• Kingdom of Castile
• Old Castile

• Avila's City Hall
• Avila's Tourist Guide
• Convent of St. Teresa, Avila
• Photos of Avila
• Satellite picture by Google Maps
• Hazlitt, Classical Gazetteer "Abila"
• Citizens' association for the defence of heritage of Avila - Photos of Avila

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)