CR Adventures 270324: Avila City Tour - Iglesia de Santa Teresa, Cathedral de Ávila and Basílica de San Vicente

The route along the fortress wall ended earlier than planned as my phones battery died on me. The real distance is about 9km.

Trail from Ávila passing through:
- Iglesia de Santa Teresa (0.5 km)
- Arco del Rastro (0.7 km)
- Catedral de Ávila (1.3 km)
- Basílica de San Vicente (1.5 km)
- Capilla de Mosén Rubí (2.2 km)

Ávila, capital of the Spanish province of the same name, is a city in the rolling hill country northwest of Madrid. It’s best known for its intact medieval city walls, with 80-plus crenelated, semicircular towers and 9 gates, including the arched El Alcázar, on the eastern side. Long sections atop the walls are walkable which you shouldn’t miss as the views of the city are stunning. At night, the lighted walls are a distinctive sight.

Religious Architecture
———————————-

Cathedral of the Savior of Ávila

Its construction falls between the 12th and 15th centuries . It enjoyed a military and defensive function thanks to its fortified head , whose crest is mounted on the city wall itself.
Initially it was built in Romanesque style, by Master Fruchel.
At the beginning of the 13th century , a Gothic style was adopted in the works. Master Fruchel began the works, inspired by the Basilica of Saint-Denis During the first third of the 14th century , Bishop Sancho Blázquez Dávila reactivated the works on the cathedral.
It is one of the buildings that began the penetration of French Gothic in the peninsula and is considered the first Gothic cathedral in Spain.
It is built mainly of granite.
The cathedral has a Latin cross plan , with three naves, a transept and an ambulatory . The main chapel, with two sections and an apse, is covered by a cross vault and has two levels of windows.
In the cathedral, the monumental main altarpiece stands out , begun to be painted by Pedro Berruguete in 1499 until his death and which would also have the participation of Juan de Borgoña.
The cloister is connected to the transept through a doorway from the 14th and 15th centuries , in the southern part of the cathedral.
The cathedral's backchoir is carved in limestone and represents seven scenes from the life of Jesus. It was made by Juan Rodríguez and Lucas Giraldo, both students of Vasco de la Zarza , in the period between 1531 and 1536-1544.
Basilica of Saint Vincent . Its construction began in the 12th century in Romanesque style and ended in the 14th century , with the finishing of the north tower.
The final phase of this has been attributed to the French master Giral Fruchel , introducer of the Gothic style in Spain and who also participated in the construction of the cathedral. The general structure is similar to the Latin basilicas . It consists of a Latin cross plan , three naves, a dome , galleries , three apses , an atrium , two towers and a crypt . The interior has a Latin cross plan with three naves of six sections.

St. Peter's Church.

Romanesque church located outside the walled area, in the Plaza del Mercado Grande, in front of the Alcázar door. The beginning of its construction is dated around 1100 and the end of it around the year 1130. It would undergo various renovations throughout the 13th and 14th centuries . It presents analogies with that of the Basilica of San Vicente, built around the same dates. It is built in sandstone, with a granite plinth. It has a basilica plan with three naves. The façade has a pyramid shape and has a large rose window in its central part.

Hermitage of San Segundo.

Hermitage located west of Ávila, outside the walled area, on the right bank of the Adaja River . It preserves Romanesque vestiges although it was renovated during the 16th century.
Alabaster statue made by Juan de Juni. Popular belief has it that by placing a handkerchief in the tomb and asking for three wishes, the saint grants one of them.
San Segundo is the patron saint of Ávila and his pilgrimage is celebrated on May 2nd.

Royal Monastery of Saint Thomas

Dominican convent built at the end of the 15th century . The church has a Latin cross plan with five sections crowned by a star vault. The main altarpiece contains paintings by Pedro Berruguete , which illustrate episodes from the life of Saint Thomas . It was the summer residence of the Catholic Monarchs.

Convent of San José

It is a convent of barefoot Carmelite nuns . It was the first foundation carried out by Saint Teresa of Jesus and the starting point of the Teresian reform. It was built in 1562, although the church, its most interesting architectural element, began to be built in 1607.
This was designed by the architect Francisco de Mora (1553-1610), who conceived a temple of a single nave, covered with a hollow vault and dome in the transept . It has been a National Monument since 1968. Currently the building serves as the headquarters of the Teresian Museum of the Discalced Carmelites.

Church-convent of Santa Teresa.

Built at the beginning of the 17th century.

Parish Church of Santiago.

Located to the south of the city, it is of Romanesque origin, it only preserves some vestiges of this style on the walls. It was rebuilt with Berroqueña stone at the beginning of the 16th century, in late Gothic style.
According to tradition, the city's knights of the Order of Santiago were armed there.​ It consists of a single nave with four sections and chapels between its buttresses.
Its octagonal tower from the 14th century stands out , although it was rebuilt in 1803 due to a collapse in the upper part.

Convent of the Incarnation

It emerged as a beguinage in a different location and later, in 1513, moved to the current location – at that time a Jewish cemetery – and became a monastery for nuns with vows. Saint Teresa entered it in 1533 and prepared its reform for 27 years. In the 17th century , the vault and dome underwent renovations.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sonsoles.

The Sonsoles Sanctuary is located about 5 km southeast of the city of Ávila. The exact etymology of the name of the sanctuary is not known, but it is suspected that the name of Sonsoles may come from Fons Solis - "the fountain of the sun" - which would refer to the water spring that exists in the place. The temple had to be rebuilt in the year 1480 due to its dilapidated condition.
Inside the sanctuary there is a carving of the Virgin of Sonsoles , co-patron of Ávila and patron of the province's fields. It is a tradition in the city during the month of May to make a pilgrimage on foot to the sanctuary.

St. Andrew's Church

Romanesque church from the 12th century located northeast of the city. It has a basilica plan with three naves, with their corresponding apses, the central one being larger. It underwent a restoration in 1930.

Church of Saint Nicholas

Romanesque church from the 12th century , located south of the city. It has three naves, with three access doors, and a semicircular apse. It also has a quadrangular tower. It was renovated in the 17th century.

Church of Saint John the Baptist

Temple of Romanesque origin built during the 12th century . It underwent a severe reform in the 16th century , in late Gothic style. It consists of a three-section nave with chapels on both sides. According to an inscription in this church, Saint Teresa was baptized in the year 1515.

Hermitage of San Martín

Romanesque church located in the northern area of ​​the city, it was rebuilt in 1705. Its quadrangular tower stands out, the oldest part of the building, from the 14th century . The tower has a berroco stone base on which the upper body is located, built of brick and in the Mudejar style.

Hermitage of Santa María de la Cabeza

Small hermitage with Mudejar elements located in the northern part of the city.

Church of Mosén Rubí

16th century church that fuses the late Gothic and Renaissance styles.

Royal Monastery of Santa Ana

Building whose construction began dates back to the year 1250 (although only a staircase and a paving remain from this period). It was declared an asset of cultural interest on January 15, 1982.

Convent of Santa María de Gracia

Convent belonging to the Order of Saint Augustine , it was founded at the beginning of the 16th century . Saint Teresa received classes at the convent school.

Magdalena Convent

Former Magdalena hospital, it is currently a convent of Conceptionist Franciscan nuns. It housed the city's comedy corral.

Humilladero de Los Cuatro Postes

Monument from the 16th century located on the outskirts of Ávila. It is made up of four Doric columns, in the center of which, on a pedestal, stands a granite cross. Today it serves as a viewpoint, from where you can have magnificent views of Ávila.

Former convent of Santa María de Jesús

Better known as Las Gordillas, it was founded in 1552 for the Poor Clare nuns. His church still has worship. It was declared a National Monument in 1991.

Humilladero Hermitage

Hermitage with a square floor plan built outside the walls during the second half of the 16th century , a few meters from the basilica and door of San Vicente , to the east of the historic center. It was the headquarters of the Illustrious Patronage of the Santa Vera Cruz.