Ávila outside the walls: the treasures outside the walls
A visit to ** Ávila ** is meaningless without a climb to its medieval wall . The stone belt, imposing and impassable, has protected the jewels inside the mystical city for centuries: the Convent of Santa Teresa, the Cathedral, the rose window of the church of San Pedro crowning a peaceful square.
The wall is both a guardian of the people of Avila and a panoramic viewpoint for travellers. The emblems of Ávila, its people, its alleys and its gardens They are in a safe place at the foot of the wall.
But what's on the outside? From the top of the towers you can see the horizon and the Castilian fields. If you look closely, you can also see some unexpected corners.
It's worth leaving the perimeter , descend the grassy slopes where the wall rests and snoop around. At the gates of Ávila, not far away, there is a basilica full of arches, a peaceful and underrated river , a factory in ruins... And a few more secrets.
From the top of the towers you can see the horizon
THE WALK OF THE TRAIL
The residents of Ávila like relax and sunbathe on the benches of this wide path attached to the wall, which here sits on the natural rock. In the background, the natural image of the Sierra de Gredos and the valley , and a little closer is the Toledo neighborhood , so called because it is oriented towards Toledo, of course.
Although it is outside the limits of the wall, the Paseo del Rastro is part of the historic center and it is practically in the urban center. Be careful if you are in a hurry, the calm and joy of this place will hook you.
THE BASILICA OF SAINT VINCENT
In the Plaza de San Vicente stands a romanesque temple baptized with the same name. It draws attention for its 15th-century arcaded gallery, which tempts anyone to walk among its arches and take refuge under its roof , especially when it is illuminated at night.
It is unmistakable for the "open" finish of its tallest tower. Don't be fooled by its dimensions or its sophistication , that this church began to be built in the year 1130.
The Paseo del Rastro, perfect for relaxing and sunbathing
THE CHURCH OF SAN ANDRÉS
Could be the little sister of the basilica of saint vincent and it is only a few meters from her.
this church, obviously romanesque , it deserves that you take a picture of those cracks in the rock that serve as windows, and also that you look up to see its flattened vaults, as contradictory as the latter sounds. It seems impenetrable, but once inside, it's hard not to fall in love of its simplicity.
THE ADAJA RIVER
At this point it is impossible not to have noticed: Ávila is full of churches even outside its walls . Architecture lovers will have fun for a while, but those looking for the greenest part of the city do not have to go far. The Adaja River is great for breathe the fresh air of the mountains.
And on its shore there are some secrets to discover, such as the Slab Mill (a restaurant installed inside an old mill that seems to float on the water), the charming Hermitage of San Segundo and the Old Jewish Tanneries , where the community worked hides and skins with the waters of the river hundreds of years ago.
The Basilica of San Vicente, Avila
THE LIGHT FACTORY
What does that brick chimney paint among so many Romanesque buildings? Well, currently, not much. It belongs to the Light Factory, a old power station of which today only the bones remain: it is dismantled and in ruins.
It is a memory of the history of Avila a little closer to our era: it was built in the 19th century and it worked during the last century.
Different destinations have been proposed for the factory: a nightclub, a hotel, a cultural center... Its state of abandonment does not prevent seeing its industrial beauty , there is no doubt that a new life should start!
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE MYSTIC
The information signs in the churches speak of romanesque and gothic plants , but none speak of a star-shaped layout.
To see something like this you have to go quite far from the wall, to the Teresiano Sanjuanista International Center , also known as the University of Mysticism.
A walk along the Adaja River
The center structure is designed as an irregular five-pointed star. Inside it is studied, how could it be otherwise, the spiritual doctrine of Saint Teresa of Jesus and Saint John of the Cross.
Actually, the best point to observe this curious place is precisely from the top of the wall.
AND MANY OTHER WONDERS
Ávila outside the walls has as much to show as the interior of the city , and it is not permissible to turn a blind eye. There will always be hours left to venture outside, where other treasures await that, if explained here, this list would never end.
Places that we will leave for the curious to conquer. Here are some suggestions: a good handful of hermitages, two or three monasteries , some distant convent, a Jewish cemetery.
We recommend getting a good map and preparing for the adventure, because the wall of Avila it ceased to be a border a long time ago: today it is a invitation to explore what lies beyond of its limits.
Ávila outside the walls has as much to show as the interior of the city