Avila is a medieval town in the province of Castile-Leon in western Spain, about 70 miles northwest of Madrid. Avila whole city was declared a World Heritage by UNESCO.
Two kilometers from the medieval walls and towers almost 90 completely encircle the old city resistant. These walls were built in the eleventh century to protect the territories of the Spanish Moors. Avila also has a Romanesque cathedral, medieval churches and a few authentic medieval atmosphere. The city was captured by Moors and Arabs in 714 d.Hr regained by Christians in 1088, and its protective walls were built in the twelfth century. Alfonso VI ordered the construction of the walls of Avila after he conquered the city in 1090, using prisoners as laborers Moors.
Winters can be pretty hard here, partly because the city altitude (1000 meters), but summers are cool and pleasant exchange. During the summer may provide some relief Avila from intense heat of southern Spain or Madrid.
Avila is also important for the world because of its link with the great Catholic mystic and reformer, St. Teresa of Jesus, better known by the name of St. Teresa of Avila. St. Teresa was a devout mystic whose autobiography has inspired many generations their spiritual quest, playing a significant role in reforming monasteries and practice in Spain.Teresa was a Carmelite monk from the sixteenth century the reformed Order, had many holes ecclesiastical and wrote several books. She is the female patron saint of Spain and was the first woman called “doctor” by the Church.
You can get by train from Madrid, are over 24 trains depart daily from Madrid. The Atocha train from 8:00 to 9:26 Avila reach. Tickets cost between 5 and 14 euro. Station is located on Boulevard Avila Jose Antonio, about 2 kilometers from old town. You will find taxis in front of the station in Plaza Santa Teresa Avila, located closer to the center.
You will find the bus station in Madrid on Paseo Florida 11 (Metro: Norte), in front Norte station. In Avila bus station is at the intersection of Avenida Avenida Madrid and Portugal. Price a trip from Madrid is 6 euros.
By car you can get from Madrid coming from the north-west of the capital. Then go northwest on highway N-VI (A-6) to La Coruna and then you go to the south-west to Avila. Travel time is approximately 1 hour – 1 hour and a half.
Tourist Information Office, Plaza Catedral 4, is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 19:00 and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00 and17:00 to 20:00.