Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches, Medieval fortified complex in Ávila, Spain.
The Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches is a medieval fortified complex extending roughly 2.5 kilometers around the city with 88 towers and six main gates. Beyond the primary walls stand three monasteries and several Romanesque temples that formed part of the protected area.
Construction of the fortifications began in 1090 during the Christian Reconquest, establishing the site as a strategic military stronghold against Moorish advances. This defensive structure shaped the city for centuries as a frontier fortress.
The Gothic cathedral forms part of the city walls, while the Romanesque Basilica of San Vicente functioned as a pilgrimage destination outside them. These structures reveal how religious and defensive architecture were intertwined in medieval life.
The walkable sections of the walls are accessible daily except Mondays, with tickets available at several entry points throughout the site. Walking the circuit on foot is the best way to experience the full extent of the fortifications and surrounding churches.
It incorporates several Romanesque temples that were originally built as independent religious centers outside the main wall system. These churches reveal how the settlement grew and extended beyond its fortified core.
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