The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-26
OLDEST CITY OF CASTLE
AyILA. SAID TO HAVE BEEN FOUND
ED BY HERCULES, ID. c. 1860.
Among the Medieval Monuments Is a
Statue of Prince John, Only Son
OF Ferdinand and Isabella.

Correspondence Of the indianapolis Journal.
AvILA, Spain. July 19.-From Segovia
TO Salamanca, via Avila, is indeed "a long
way around but as no direct route takes
in those three important cities, and we
cannot afford to miss anyone of them, we
are again compelled to test the old saw
concerning 'the surest way home" BY
stage from Segovia you reach the Central
Railway, which in its short journey
through the mountains traverses forty-four
tunnels in a distance of four thousand
yards. and seeing the weary, dust-begrimed
passengers. you bless the lucky stars that
led you in another direction.
Avila de los Caballeros COT the Gentle
menu. as goes the sigh-sounding title Of
this small city, is much frequented in sum
mer by refugees from the heated capital.
Lying about $500 feet above the sea, with
In sight of the snow-capped Sierra, sur
rounded by fertile plains, from which mar
row. green valleys lead up into the foot
Hills, all plentifully watered by trout
streams, il is an ideal resort at this time
of year. And 10 the sportsman it is no
less attractive at other seasons. sedgy
lakes and downs Astounding with wild
@VNA III dulAiAlIs dA0 III AANC WIN 60AASs
including wolves from the neighboring
Sierra.
To the antiquarian, the artist, the lover
of the quaint and picturesque, Avila has
not its equal in Spain, if indeed in the
world. The granite walls that encompass
It. built in the eleventh century. are yet
perfect. They are forty feet high and
twelve feet thick, with eighty-six towers
and ten enormous gateways. Each gate
way is formed by setting two towers nearer
together. carrying them up higher and
connecting them by an overhanging arch,
curiously carved with armorial bearings.
Before the use of siege artillery, the city
must have been impregnable. for every
point OF the hill upon which it stands COM
mands the plain below. over which small
gray powders are scattered. like fiocks of
sheep. Spaniards assert that the original
name was Abula, bestowed in honor Of his
mother. by Hercules. who built the first
city b. c. 1860. Whoever may have been
responsible for its prehistoric foundation.
the Avila OF to-day was rebuilt about the
year 1oSO rs Don Ramon. of Burgundy, a
son-in-law of Alfonso VI.
THE MODERN AvILA.
an iH- MoQefQ city OF perhaps lV,Vp III
habitants there are several hotels and pen
SONS, al tolerable as Spanish hostelries go.
The largest. called Dos de Mayo Second
Of Nay, being kept by an Englishman, Is
generally patronized by the comparatively
lew Anglo-Saxons who find their way here.
Every street and lane and corner of Avila,
10th within the walls and outside their
narrow circuit. abounds in mediaevai
buildings, pillars. arches. buttresses, es-
eutcheons and antiquarian relics worth a
Journey around the world to see- Many
OF the curious old houses have remained
entirely unchanged since the middle ages.
a Few are richly decorated and very mag
hneent. but their general arrangement is
the same. over the entrance Is a huge
s'uiptured shield OF arms weather stained
ana hehea covered. Above it projects a
stone balcony. always occupied by a num-
0r Of pet quails called reclamos. which
80 such favorite pets throughout northern
spain They make the air resound with
"er strange. incessant cries. and sports
men lake them out on hunting expeditions
oseanse their voices attract other birds
'he same breed. Passing under the
"eatner stained coat OF arms you enter a
esI dark hall. damp and smelly as a
~iAo' IN which the melancholy cries OF the