Walls of Ávila, Medieval defensive fortification in Ávila, Spain
The Walls of Ávila surround the historic center over a length of around 2.5 kilometers and appear as a continuous line of granite fortification. They show numerous semicircular towers and several entrance gates leading to different quarters of the inner town.
The fortification arose from 1090 during the Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula, when Ávila became an important military stronghold. In the 12th century extensive expansions and rebuilding gave the complex its present form.
The name derives from the Arabic word for white water or snowy slopes, recalling the Moorish past of the region. Today the pale granite blocks shape the townscape and serve as a landmark for visitors walking through the old quarter.
Visitors can walk roughly half the circuit along the top of the ramparts and enjoy views over the town and surrounding countryside. Access is available through several entry points, which require an admission fee.
The Cathedral of Ávila forms with its apse one of the watchtowers on the eastern side of the complex, combining sacred building with military function. This dual use arose during the construction phase in the 12th century and shows the close link between church and defense.
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