Avila - World Heritage Site in Spain
by Seb Jay
Avila - World Heritage Site in Spain
At more than 3,700 feet above sea level Avila is closer to the heavens than any other city in Spain. It is situated at the heart of the Sistema Central Mountain range, which separates the two great cities of Madrid and Salamanca from each other, and is arguably the most dramatic of all UNESCO world heritage sites in Spain. But why is Avila so special? The answer lies in its crenellated medieval wall - the longest medieval wall enclosure still standing in Europe.
Running for a distance equivalent to 2.5 kilometers around the ancient city, Avila's tall city wall is truly a monster of medieval engineering. Its 2500 battlements and bewildering array of towers and gates have astounded visitors to this Spanish outpost for centuries. No one knows exactly when the wall was built, but historic records show that it could have been in existence as early as 1090.
No visit to Avila is complete without a walk on the wall itself. There are several entrance points along the wall's length. Once on top exceptional views of the medieval town contained within the wall and the vastness of the mountains out beyond the city are there to be enjoyed. A small charge is made for entry up on to the wall.
Other attractions in Avila include the Palacio de los Deanes (The Deanes Palace), which today is home to the Provincial Museum and its wealth of local archaeological finds. There is also the Romanesque Basilica (St. Vincent's Basilica) and Avila's 12th century cathedral to view.
Getting to Avila
Avila is an hour and a half's drive away from the Spanish capital, Madrid. From the airport the A6 route northwards towards Valladolid should be chosen up through the mountains. At Junction 81 make for Avila along route 110. Vehicle hire can be booked in advance for pick-up at Madrid airport - http://www.your-carhire.com
Seb Jay is a freelance writer specializing in the origination of web content for www.your-carhire.com