Walls of Avila: Explore The Great Wall of Spain
It is hard to stick to itinerary always! The initial plan was to drive straight to Segovia from Salamanca, Spain, but we made this spontaneous halt at Avila.
All 3 places, Salamanca, Avila and Segovia, are listed in UNESCO World Heritage sites. Salamanca to Segovia is 171kms which would take less than 2 hours to travel.
While planning I had noticed Avila just half way between the places, yet didn’t include it in the itinerary so that I could spend more time in Salamanca and Segovia.
Avila Spain
Avila, the name means desired. It is a girl’s name of German origin meaning. Ávila de los Caballeros is the real name of the city. It is famous for its well preserved Romanesque city walls.
If you have driven through AP-61 you will agree with me that Walls of Avila are visible from a distance. We could spot the prominent outline of wall from far.
The old Town and walls of Avila seemed to beckon us… of course it is a figment of my imagination! We were hungry after the walking tour of Salamanca, or that was just an excuse, we veered to Avila.
Avila Wall Entrance Arch
Avila deserves a day and here I was touring it only for a couple of hours!
The first hunt was for parking. In Avila parking space is limited and these are divided into zones in Avila. There’s parking outside and inside the walls. Maximum stay in the metered spots is 2 hours and that suited us fine.
Next, the hunt was for a good eating spot. We sat in one of the restaurants facing the walls of Avila. The unexpected halt at the place and getting the chance to see a world heritage site made me happy beyond words.
I don’t remember what I ate, but I remember I ate very fast. We had to explore the old streets too.
Walls of Avila – The Great Wall of Spain
There are two sets of walls to climb. It’s about 2 kilometers and could have been done in a 40-minute brisk walk or a leisurely 2-hour stroll. I did only a part of it.
We started from the Alcazar Gate. The main thoroughfare from outside the city is through this gate. Inside the fortified Spanish town looked warm and charming.
We walked around Avila for some time. While exiting we drove through the narrow streets. The walls of Avila are huge and everywhere we drove around this small city, we felt bounded and protected by these walls.
The grand structure reminded me of Kumbalgarh Fort of Rajasthan.
History and Statistics of the Wall
Centuries back, in the 11th century, 1090AD, to be precise, these walls were made to hold foreign invasions. It still remains intact.
During epidemics like plague, this wall served to limit the access to the town of Avila.
This impressive defense construction has a perimeter of 2516 m, 87 turrets and 9 gates. The walls have an average height of 12 meters.
Portions here and there have been repaired and restored. These walls are the main reason why Avila got included in UNESCO World heritage list in 1985.
Views of the landscape and villages surrounding the historic town from the wall are mesmerizing.
What a beautiful spot. I love finding little bits of history when I travel. This one definitely seems like it’s worth breaking the itinerary for.
The serendipity of travel is what makes it all the more interesting. So destiny ensures that you had a meal right in front of the Walls of Avila. The walls are really magnificent and one can only imagine how life must have been around and inside the walls in its heyday. As you mentioned it would have been great if you could have explored this world heritage site more.
That’s one of the funniest parts of road tripping, being able to pull off the road and visit a place that’s not on the itinerary. The lack of parking spots doesn’t sound fun though.Great shots of the gate.
Now that’s an impressive wall! And still so intact from the 11th century! What a lovely experience, to have a UNESCO World Heritage Site between stops on a road trip. I like that you can’t remember what you ate, just that it was fast. That’s the explorer’s spirit! More fuel, there’s too much to see!
Walls of Avila do look like Kumbhalgarh fort, though the later has much sturdier bastions and a much longer wall. Do you get to walk on the walls only or do you get to see inside the walls too – that is if you do have the whole day to spend there?
I had never been to Avila but the old Town and walls of Avila remind me of the castles of Ireland. It’s so fascinating to know that the walls built in the 11th century are still intact. I could spend an entire day strolling there.
The old Town and walls of Avila look like they’ve been taken straight from a fairytale – very fable like and majestic! It’s impressive that the walls are still very much in tact, and awesome that you can climb them. Thanks for the tip on parking, it’s good to know that 2 hours should be ample time 🙂
I agree with you. It’s so hard to stick with itineraries when there are other things calling. Just like walls of Avila. And to think that it’s listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, yay! So amazing, right? The pictures are postcard ready and looks amazing, makes us feel like we’re tiny little people looking at it. So beautifully historical!
Those walls look amazing and I guess since you were short on time, you had to hurry your visit there. I would’ve loved to climb the walls too, not sure if I would’ve done it fast within 40 min or taken the leisurely 2 hour stroll. But the views would’ve been totally worth it. Your pictures are amazing!
The walls of Avila would have called our names as well by how gorgeous they are. Cant believe they were built in the 11th century. Definitely sounds like a good stop to make.
How gigantic these walls of avila are ? 12 metrs in height !! Magnificent ! Watch towers are very impressive.
The last pic.is epic !!
Really nice place it seems!!
Great pics! An exciting detour.
i think its a great adventure and i enjoy reading it …
It looks like a castle, and I want to know what’s on the other side!
I love visiting World Heritage sites and have tons remaining in Spain. Climbing the walls in Avila sounds awesome.
Amazing and beautiful clicks… walls are superb..xoxo, Neha
Those walls are amazing. What a great historical place to visit. I enjoyed your photos of it very much.
Isn’t that the joy of roadtripping that you can stop at your leisure on a spot that interests you at the moment. I’m sure the imposing fortress cannot be ignored.
Worth a Thousand Words
Quite lovely.
I’d love you to share at image-in-ing.blogspot.com
One word- Majestic!
Mighty walls… and very well maintained. Prominent watch towers defines how well these walls must have defended area within.
Hello, awesome shots of Avila. The walls are amazing. Great captures, so glad you stopped for a visit. Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!
They are impressive looking walls and I doubt that I could have driven by without stopping for a closer look.
Those are very impressive under that clear blue sky.
Thanks for sharing and enjoy your weekend.
I’m sorry, I forgot a word …
I meant to say: “those are impressive walls under the clear blue sky.” 🙂
They are so magnificent. Thank god you made a detour and visited Avila. Some thing new is added to my “daily update myself” practice. Thanks Indrani 🙂
Those walls are amazing! I wanted to visit during my last visit to Madrid but we decided for Toledo and Segovia since there are high speed trains to those places. On my next visit, I have to stop by Avila!
What a fabulous place!
Had the impression that Rajasthan Fort is in Avila.Hahaha.
Lovely shots and nice write up.
Cheers,
Sriram & Krithiga
Beautiful place.
Wow. This reminds me of Kumbalgarh. The walk sounds fun. It also sounds like there would a great cafe around?
Glad you made the turn as I would never have seen this interesting place.
Wow so impressive – the size of it and the the fact that they stayed intact this long.
The last pic is awesome!
Magnificent wall and the landscape surrounding it makes it so picturesque.
Adding a bit of history always makes your posts more attractive and enjoyable. The wall is majestic…:-)
Wao these fort looks vintage.
Dec’15: I visited Dubai and spotted all the tourist places. When I reached I got to know about Al-ain. Little strange but wherever I go I try to find a zoo to visit.
I cancelled a famous tourist attraction (Atlantis) to visit and rearrange the schedule for Al-ain zoo. It’s must visit.
Signature post of yours: Beautiful pics with brief intro of the place. 🙂
A beautiful Post.. Great Photographs of Walls of Avila!
Real traveler is one who never follow preplanned itinerary. Kumbhalgarh fort is one which I seen solo first time. It always gives me a feeling . Nice post with suitable pictures Indrani ji .
All vintage structures but they have their own sheen
Quite impressive, esp the last pic!
The fun is to diverge from the itinerary! 😀
They are so vintage yet in great condition… beautiful pics 🙂
Looks similar to Red Fort (almost) !!!
Yes, the architecture looks like the forts of Rajasthan. Beautiful Pics!
The last pic is epic!!
I love reading about these exotic drives you take. And also like that you provide so much information about the place..That makes it informative as well as entertaining.
Its amazing these walls are so old and still in such a good shape. Thanks for sharing such a distinct heritage.