| Ávila Ávila de los Caballeros Ávila del Rey Ávila de los leales |
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| Ávila with its famous city walls, as seen from a distance | |||
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| Motto: Una ciudad para todos... (Spanish for "A city for everyone...") |
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Ávila
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| Coordinates: | |||
| 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 | 59,270 | ||
| • Density | 226.87/km2 (587.6/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
| Postal code | 05001 - 05006 | ||
| Area code(s) | 34 (Spain) + 920 (Ávila) | ||
| Website | http://www.avila.es (Spanish) | ||
Ávila (Latin: Abila and Óbila) is a Spanish city located in the autonomous community of Castile and León, 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 «Pebbles 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 °F), and the coldest month, January, has an average of 2.8 °C (37 °F). The average annual precipitation is 400 mm (15.75 in).
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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 * | |
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| Country | Spain |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | iii, iv |
| Reference | 348 |
| Region ** | Europe and North America |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1985 (9th Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List ** Region as classified by UNESCO |
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In religious architecture, stands the Cathedral (12th-15th century) and military function 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.
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.
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.
Avila has 2 Universities:
And 3 colleges to the University of Salamanca (USAL)
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.
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.
| Wikisource has the text of the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia article Avila. |
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