Ávila: the perfect getaway for lovers of good food
Without a doubt the visit to Avila We have to start it with its most obvious hallmark: the walls . Considered one of the best preserved medieval monuments in the world, its construction dates back to the 12th century and surrounds the city in a perimeter of no more and no less than two and a half kilometers.
Access to the city through its magnificent nine gates , shows how the monument has been repaired over time, and discovers a genius of the architecture that adapts to the terrain according to its unevenness . A wonder that can be accessed from three of its doors: that of Carmen, that of the Bridge and that of Los Cuatro Postes.
All visits must always end by going up to the walkway from the Alcazar Gate , a place that offers a bestial panoramic view of the valley and the Sierra de Ávila. In order not to get lost, you can always check the website to plan your visit and, why not, find out about news such as the recent appearance of archaeological remains on the western wall of the walls.
CITY OF TEMPLES AND JEWISH QUARTER
A Getaway to Avila It is without a doubt getting lost in a city where the Church has played a very important role over the centuries. Cathedral , considered a true medieval military fortress, was built on the old Romanesque temple as a novelty imported from the French: the Gothic style . Its spectacular cloister and the Altar of the Kings, work of Juan Rodríguez and Lucas Giraldo , little detract from the greatness of the altarpiece by Berruguete, Santa Cruz and Juan de Borgoña. And yes, it was the first Gothic cathedral built in our country.
Interior of the Avila Cathedral
Art lovers must take into account other obligatory stops such as the St. Peter's Church , another of the jewels of the Romanesque of the city of Ávila, Well of Cultural Interest that governs the Santa Teresa Square with an imposing Cistercian rose window. The second largest temple in the city is the Basilica of Saint Vincent , whose visit is recommended together with that of San Andrés and the convent of Santa Teresa, one of the most important historical figures of the town.
Another of the most fascinating itineraries that can be done in the city of Ávila is that of the Jewish quarter. Wandering through the markets, there was once a large Jewish settlement, where there was no lack of different shops and synagogues. Nowadays, Ávila City Council offers guided tours not only to tour the city inch by inch, but to discover a little more about the Jewish presence and its cultural impact on the city.
Santa Teresa Square in Avila
A FIELD AND WEATHER KITCHEN
The gastronomy from Avila is almost as generous as it is its land and its climate . good food region, escape to Avila it implies coming without having to count time, perhaps because it has stopped at a moment in the Middle Ages.
Large producer of vegetables, vegetables and legumes, one of the most demanded winter dishes inside and outside its borders is undoubtedly the bean from the town of El Barco, a vegetable that is cooked with chorizo from the area and pig's ear. Without a doubt, other dishes cannot be missing to open a table such as the revolconas potatoes, crowned with torreznos or the Castilian soup.
On the other hand, the gastronomy of Avila It has a high meat component. In fact, the Avila beef It is a native breed with denomination of origin thanks to which you can enjoy its star dish: the steak. Other important meats also rear their heads in dishes such as suckling pig or the roasted rabbit in the hunting case . There is even the fish option in the Tormes trout It will be for options.
The jewel in the crown: the revolcona potato
TAPEO OR LETTER?
The cool tapas in Ávila is basically concentrated in two areas.
The Small Market: Possibly the focus of the city's movement, an 18th-century square where the Town Hall is located and a cluster of bars and restaurants where tapas are served in the most traditional style. Our three options:
- the good Yantar (Vallespin, 1). Bet on the traditional, among which stands out its pot sausage, its croquettes and some spectacular revolconas . Its Castilian soup makes many stay to eat from the menu
- William House (Small Market Square, 3) . Revolconas served in a clay pot and a half-kilo steak served with peppers. Who can refuse?
- Gredos (Comuneros of Castile, 4) . Considered one of the best tapas bars in the city center, The beer is accompanied by a well priced and quantified tapa. They have a bar of pinchos so varied that it is difficult to choose.
The beans from El Barco, typical of Ávila
Saint Second: a single street that houses six tapas bars where you can extend the jarana more and have a few spirits. They move away from the most traditional but not from the hustle and bustle. Our three options:
- Alavirule (Saint Second, 40) . The perfect example that Ávila is young and has become hipsterized thanks to cecina croquettes, gourmet mini-burgers and gin and tonics for the most revelers.
- post house _(San Segundo, 40) _. Very famous for its Iberian acorn-fed ham toasts and its extra-large hamburger. Calmer and perfect for those who don't look at their pockets when they go out for tapas.
- The Cellar _(Saint Second, 19) _. The typical one that gets to bursting for its somewhat more elaborate tapas, where we find goat cheese, anchovies and, of course, revolconas potatoes. Perfect for those looking tapas with a good wine.
The typical revolconas of Ávila
If what you are looking for is to sit at the table and enjoy the Avila meat , in almost all the premises you will find a very extensive hole in letter. Although it is true that the followers of the Avila steak We can point out among many others these three:
- The Oil Lamps _(Pedro de Lagasca, 5) _, They know that simplicity is a symbol of success, in addition to their years of experience making a ribeye to the ideal point of each one.
- Twelfth century (Cathedral Square, 6) . It gets its name because it is located in a building dating from the 12th century. Although you may have the best romps in the capital , your menu can include a Avila steak to the ember that awakens the dead.
- bococo _(Street, 11) _. It was one of those that we did not know and that have become more fashionable in Ávila in the last 10 years for its avant-garde cuisine. Their veal ribeye It is simply perfect, although the menu reserves such fabulous surprises as venison with red berries. A ten.
And for dessert, Santa Teresa yolks and a good digestive liqueur.
Bococo T-bone steak
DID YOU KNOW...?
- You don't need to plan your Getaway to Avila . The City Council organizes every weekend Guided visits so you don't have to worry too much.
- The first Friday of September the city returns to its medieval origins, even holding medieval tournaments and markets.
- At the end of June the tapas contest is held in which the city's restaurateurs compete for the best tapa of the year. The city becomes a foodie anthill.
- In addition to churches and convents, Ávila hides numerous palaces and simply incredible visitable monasteries.
- In August they can be done night visits to the Wall.
- In 2010 it was discovered under the floor of the Cathedral a secret passage whose origin and utility are still unknown.
- Such is the perfection in the design of the Wall of Ávila that to bridge the unevenness of the terrain without causing structural damage the size of the towers and the canvases was adapted, these being smaller as the terrain was more rugged.