Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches

Ávila is known as the Town of Stones and Saints because of the large number of Romanesque and Gothic churches

Ávila

The city of Ávila is located in the centre of Spain, in the Autonomous Community of Castile and León. Founded in the 11th century to protect the Spanish territories from the Moors, this 'City of Saints and Stones' has maintained its medieval austerity, and is the birthplace of St Teresa and burial place of the Grand Inquisitor, Torquemada. This purity of form can still be seen in the Gothic cathedral and fortifications that, with their 87 semi-circular towers and nine gates, is the most complete found in Spain. - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/348

Walls of Ávila

This postcard was sent from Portugal by Joana

The Walls of Ávila in central Spain, completed between the 11th and 14th centuries, are the city's principal historic feature.

The work was started in 1090 but most of the walls appear to have been rebuilt in the 12th century. The enclosed area is an irregular rectangle of 31 hectares with a perimeter of some 2,516 meters,including 88 semicircular towers. The walls have an average breadth of 3 metres and an average height of 12 metres. The nine gates were completed over several different periods. The Puerta de San Vicente (Gate of St Vincent) and Puerta del Alcazar (Gate of the Fortress) are flanked by twin towers, 20 metres high, linked by a semicircular arch. The apse of the cathedral also forms one of the towers. in: wikipedia

Plaza de Santa Teresa and Church of San Pedro

This postcard was sent by José

The church of Saint Peter is located outside the town walls in the Plaza de Mercado Grande at the door of the Alcazar. Presents analogous with that of San Vicente. - in: wikipedia