Ávila

Ávila(UK:/ˈævɪlə/AV-il-ə,US:/ˈɑːv-/AHV-,[ˈaβila]) is a city ofSpainlocated in theautonomous communityofCastile and León. It is the capital and most populated municipality of theProvince of Ávila.
It lies on the right bank of theAdaja river. Located more than 1,130 m above sea level, the city is the highest provincial capital in Spain.
Distinctively known byits medieval walls, Ávila is sometimes called theTown of Stones and Saints, and it claims that it is one of the towns with the highest number of Romanesque andGothicchurches per capita in Spain.It has complete and prominentmedievaltown walls, built in theRomanesquestyle; writerJosé Martínez Ruiz, in his bookEl alma castellana("The Castilian Soul"), described it as "perhaps the most 16th-century town in Spain". The town is also known asÁvila de los Caballeros,Ávila del ReyandÁvila de los Leales("Ávila of the knights", "Ávila of the king", "Ávila of the loyal ones"), each of theseepithetsbeing present in the townstandard.
Orson Wellesonce named Ávila as the place in which he would most desire to live, calling it a "strange, tragic place".Various scenes of his 1965 filmChimes at Midnightwere filmed in the town.
Ávila was declared aUNESCOWorld Heritage Sitein 1985. The site originally consisted of the walled city and fourextra muroschurches. The number of churches included in the site has since been increased.
Situated 1132 metres (3714 feet)above sea levelon a rocky outcrop on the right bank of theAdajariver, a tributary of theDuero, Ávila is 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.
Ávila's position results in awarm summer mediterranean climate(Csb, according to theKöppen climate classification) bordering on a coldsemi-arid climate(BSk) with warm summers and chilly winters with snowfalls. The hottest month, July, has an average temperature of 20.6 °C (69 °F), and the coldest month, January, has an average of 3.0 °C (37 °F). The average annual precipitation is 416 mm (16.38 in).Annual rainfall is low compared to surrounding areas, implying that it lies in a rain shadow. The Adaja is dry for several months of the year and the town has historically had water supply problems. Ávila has the coldest winter low temperatures of the Spanishprovincialcapital cities, thanks to its high altitude (1,132 metres (3,714 ft)above sea level).
In pre-Roman times (the 5th century BC), Ávila was inhabited by theVettones, who called itObila(Ὀβίλα)("High Mountain") and built one of their strongest fortresses here. There are Bronze Age stone statues of boars (known asverracio) nearby.
Ávila may have been the ancient town known asAbula, mentioned byPtolemyin hisGeographia(II 6, 60) as being located in the Iberian region ofBastetania.Abulais mentioned as one of the first towns inHispaniathat was converted toChristianitybySecundus of Abula(San Segundo), however,Abulamay alternatively have been the town ofAbla.
After the conquest byancient Rome, the town was calledAbilaorAbela. The plan of the town remains typically Roman; rectangular in shape, with its two main streets (cardoanddecumanus) intersecting at aforumin the centre.  Roman remains that are embedded in town walls at the eastern and southern entrances (now the Alcazar and Rastro Gates) appear to have beenashlaraltar stones.
By tradition, in the 1st century, Secundus, having travelled via the Roman province ofHispania Baetica, brought theGospelto Ávila, and was created its first bishop.
After thefall of the Western Roman Empire, Ávila became a stronghold of theVisigoths. Conquered by the Moors (Arabs) (who called it Ābila, آبلة), it was repeatedly attacked by the northern Iberian Christian kingdoms, becoming a virtually uninhabited no man's land. It was repopulated about 1088 following the definitive reconquest of the area byRaymond of Burgundy, son in law of Alfonso VI of León and Castile. He employed two foreigners,Casandro RomanoandFlorin de Pituenga, to construct a stone frontier town and creating the walls that still stand.Ávila hosted a Jewish community in the middle ages. The first written evidence documenting the presence of Jews dates to 1144. By the end of the 13th century, the Jewish population in Ávila was one of the largest in Castile. In 1375, the Jews of Ávila were forced to watch a religious disputation betweenJuan de ValladolidandMoses ha-Kohen of Tordesillas. After the 1492expulsion of the Jews, the Jewish community was nonexistent.
The city achieved a period of prosperity under theCatholic Monarchsin the early 16th century.
During theRevolt of the Comuneros, the city became the first meeting place of theSanta junta(the Holy governing board) on 1 August 1520.The Junta of Ávila drafted theProyecto de Ley Perpetua(a sort of proto-constitutional draft that never came into force) in the Cathedral of Ávila in the Summer of 1520, envisaging that cities assembled every three years without the requirement for royal sanction or presence, determining taxation and acting as a check and balance on government activity.
The city experienced a long decline since the 17th century, its population reducing to just 4,000 inhabitants.
In the 19th century, there was some population growth with the construction of the railway line from Madrid to the French border atIrunand an important junction near the town.
In 1936, at the outbreak of theSpanish Civil War, the town quickly became part of the area occupied by rebel troops. Growth continued slowly again underFranco, but Ávila has not had a major influence in Spanish society in recent history, apart from the nurturing of politicians such asAdolfo Suárez, the first democratically elected prime minister of Spain post-Franco, and José María Aznar, prime minister from 1996 to 2004, who represented Ávila in theCortesbut was not from the town.
The main landmark in the city is the imposingWalls of Ávila(11th–14th centuries), begun in 1090. The enclosed area is 31 hectares (77 acres) with a perimeter of 2,516 metres (2,752 yd), 88 blocks of semicircular towers, 2,500merlons,curtain walls3 m (9 ft 10 in) thick, with an average height of 12 m (39 ft), and 9 gates.
The walls represent the largest fully illuminated monument in the world. It is possible to walk upon the walls for roughly half their circumference. While some of the walls will never be walkable because of their integration into other structures, a large stretch has yet to be made safe for pedestrians.
The construction of the iron-grey granite GothicCathedral of Ávilais said to have commenced in 1107 underAlvar Garcia de Estrella. Other historians believe the cathedral to be the work of the master masonFruchelin the 12th century, coinciding with the repopulation of the town led byRaymond of Burgundy. The eastern apse, which forms part of the town walls, is half church, half fortress, and it was here that the loyal citizens elevatedAlonso VIIas their king, henceÁvila del Rey. The transept was finished in 1350 by Bishop Sancho de Ávila. The earlier Romanesque parts are made of a striking red-and-white "blood" limestone, while the Gothic parts were built with pure white stone.
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 Ávila, 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.
The Convent of Saint Joseph is the first monastery ofDiscalced Carmelitenunsfounded bySaint Teresa of Jesus. The convent was built in the year of 1562, although the most important architectural element, the church, was built in 1607. The church was designed by the architectFrancisco de Mora(1553–1610). It has been designated a national monument since 1968.
A hermitage located to the west of Ávila, outside the town walls, on the right bank of the Adaja river. It highlights the sculpted capitals in which the sculptor is the footprint of the apse of San Andrés. Alabaster statues were made byJuan de Juni. Popular belief has it that, on introducing a handkerchief into the tomb and asking for three wishes, the saint will grant one. His pilgrimage is celebrated on 2 May,Segundobeing the patron saint of Ávila.
This 16th-century palace is located inside the walls 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 Tomásis aDominicanconvent of the late 15th century. Despite being away from the historic centre, it is one of the most important monuments of the town.
This sanctuary is located 6 km from the capital in a picturesque area, and has a restaurant, hostel, picnic areas, and playgrounds.
It houses the statue of the Virgin of Sonsoles, co-patroness of Ávila, and patroness of the fields in the province.
It is a tradition in this town to make pilgrimage to the sanctuary, make a wish to the Virgin, and get to the door barefoot until entering the church.
Notable examples of secular architecture are the Valderrábanos Palace (15th century), the Casa de los Deanes (16th century), the Torreón de los Guzmanes and the Verdugos Palace (15th–16th centuries).
Ávila has two universities: theCatholic University of Ávila(UCAV) and the University of Mysticism, which became operational on September 2, 2008.There are three colleges of theUniversity of Salamanca(USAL): the Polytechnic School of Ávila, the College of Education and Tourism in Ávila, and the School of Nursing.
The town is home toÓbila CB, a professional basketball team of Spain'sLEB Plata. The team plays its home games at theMultiusos Carlos Sastre.
The local football team,Real Ávila CF, plays at theAdolfo Suárez Stadium, owned by the municipality.
The first public festival after the winter cold is theHoly week. The temperature is low, especially at night, so one should not forget warm clothes.
Ávila 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.
Holy Week as celebrated in Ávila is considered of international tourist interest.  It is one of the highest expressions of art and wealth as seen in numerous steps ofHoly Weekalong the town walls. Processions have either fifteen or twelve fraternities.
The festivities ofSanta Teresa, the town's most famous historical resident, a canonized Catholic saint known for her mysticism and religious writings and the first femaleDoctor of the Church, 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 Ávila and Santa Teresa Church. Takes place the day before the "Procession Girl" from the Iglesian de Santa Teresa to the cathedral.
Typical dishes of the town and region are "Judías del Barco", "Chuletón de Ávila", "Patatas revolconas" and "Yemas de Santa Teresa". Also worth mentioning is "Hornazo", "Bun stuffed with sausage, bacon, steak and eggs", "Mollejas de ternera" or the "Cochinillo",  which can be found in the capital and in Arévalo.
This sweet can always be found in the traditional pastry shop  "La Flor de Castilla". In the other bakeries in the town it is produced under the name "Yemas de Ávila", or simply "Yemas", produced as its name indicates from egg yolk.
This is a grilled ribeye steak, best cooked rare, which can be enjoyed in any hotel in the town. It is made fromAvileña-Negra ibérica, anindigenousblack cow known for its excellent meat, whose fame transcends the borders of the province and the country.
Ávila istwinnedwith:
TheÁvila Railway Stationserves the town. The closest airport isAdolfo Suárezin Madrid-Barajas. The city can be reached via the A-6 from Madrid. The city itself can be explored on foot, although there is a public service of buses running throughout the city. Also, there is a bus station that has intercity bus connections; it was built to replace the 1974-era old station located on Avenida de Madrid. There is an underground parking lot under the main square ("El grande").
The Old Town city zone is nowadays closed to private cars, and outside the walls are many roundabouts that help traffic flow, and the ring road that goes from the bus station to the southern zone bordering the walls makes it possible to cross the entire city by car or walking in less than 30 minutes. In the 70s and 80s most traffic lights were replaced with roundabouts, but many lights still exist in the central zone where it is not possible to put roundabouts. Also in that time, the city had relatively large growth, which led to the creation of many social neighborhoods around the old town area.
The Hospital Nuestra Señora de Sonsoles (Our lady of Sonsoles Hospital), the Adolfo Suárez stadium, the residential zones as Urbanización Las Hervencias, la ciudad deportiva (sporting city) with pools, a running track, soccer and football camp; the office building (La calera), the tower-residential flats zone (Madrigal de Altas Torres), the workers' quarter like San José Obrero (St. Joseph of the Worker), the retirement building (Residencia de tercera edad), the students' residence (Valle Ambles), hotels like Don Carmelo and Sercotel, new schools and high schools, and the 4-lane principal avenues Hornos Caleros and Carretera de Valladolid were built in the 70s and 80s. This doubled the population and provided the city with modern services. Nowadays, there is a mall near the hospital in the northern zone.