What You Need To Know Before Visiting The Wall Of Ávila
The wall of Ávila is one of the best-known monuments in Spain. With its more than 2.5 kilometers of perimeter, its 2,500 battlements, its 87 towers and 9 gates, it is a magnificent example of military architecture. Its state of conservation is almost perfect, and that its walls have almost a thousand years of history.
Get to know the wall of Ávila
Like many other cities in medieval times, Ávila had a wall that surrounded it and that protected it from enemies who wanted to besiege or conquer it. The difference with respect to the others is that it has survived to this day almost intact, which allows us to imagine what life was like centuries ago.
The wall of Ávila was built with stones and ashlars of different types of granite and also with brick. But if there is something that is curious, it is that materials from old buildings from the Roman period were also reused, and even tombstones from an old cemetery and that can be distinguished in some points of the canvas.
This magnificent wall has been a National Monument since 1884 and a century later, in 1985, it was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
History of the wall of Ávila
The construction of the wall of Ávila began at the end of the 11th century. A protection measure against the Muslim presence in the area and also against the conflicts arising from the instability between the kingdoms of Castilla and León.
We pointed out that it has about 2.5 kilometers in perimeter. But other aspects of it stand out, such as its height, which reaches 12 meters, or its robustness, since it is thought that its towers are solid. All to protect the city from enemy siege at a time of development, as evidenced by the number of Romanesque buildings in the city.
But the walls did not serve only as a defense of the city against the enemy. In a time full of prejudices it also served to separate social classes. Noble and powerful, as well as institutional and commercial activities, within the wall. The less well-off, artisans, farmers and activities then considered “annoying” were located outside the walls.
Another use was as protection during epidemics such as the plague or the Spanish flu. It was a way to control the spread of the disease, since the wall served so that the sick did not mix with those who had not been infected.
Today it is a magnificent monument visited each year by more than 200,000 people. Because you can walk a good part of its walkway, that is, the upper part of the wall. A great way to get to know the wall better and admire what it hides inside.
What to see inside the wall of Ávila
The first thing you should do is walk around the wall. It is the best way to admire its beauty and appreciate some details that may surprise you. Then, take the walk through its upper part, you will enjoy truly wonderful views of the city and its surroundings.
Back downstairs, enter the old city through one of its nine gates. If you enter through the Alcázar, flanked by two towers joined by a bridge at the top, you will arrive at the Plaza de Santa Teresa, where you can see the Romanesque church of San Pedro.
If you enter through the Carnicerías gate, you will be one step away from the cathedral, which, in fact, is integrated into the wall. And from there you can walk down to the river to contemplate the wall from another point of view.
What to know before you go
We already anticipated that you can climb to the top of the wall. You can do it from several points, but next to the Carnicerías door is the tourist office. To make the visit more enjoyable, audio guides are available in several languages.
The regular price is € 5, while for students, young people between 12 and 18 years old and retirees, it will be € 3.5. All children under 12 years old are free. In addition, if you are on vacation in Ávila and you have purchased the VisitÁvila card, you will have the entrance included. And in summer you can enjoy dramatized night visits. Very fun and educational!
