Avila history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Avila is rooted in deep antiquity, long before the establishment of modern Spanish borders. The first known settlements on this site belonged to the Vettones — a Celtic people who founded a fortified hillfort (castro) here named Obila around the 5th century BC. Later, the territory was integrated into the Roman Empire, retaining its strategic importance.

The final formation of the city in its medieval appearance is linked to the era of the Reconquista. In the late 11th century, around 1090, King Alfonso VI entrusted his son-in-law, Count Raymond of Burgundy, with the task of repopulating and fortifying these lands. This moment is considered the starting point of the history of modern Avila.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of Avila into a powerful medieval center was driven by a combination of several factors:

• Geographic Advantage: The city is located on a high rocky plateau (Avila is the highest provincial capital in Spain), which provided natural protection and an excellent view of the surroundings.
• Defensive Architecture: The construction of the famous city wall, begun in the 12th century, turned the city into an impregnable fortress. The wall became not just a defense, but also a symbol of political power and regional stability.
• Frontier Status: For a long time, the city was situated on the border between Christian and Muslim territories, which attracted the military elite and required constant combat readiness.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The social and economic life of early Avila had very distinct characteristics:

• "City of Knights": Avila was historically called Ávila de los Caballeros. A powerful class of military aristocracy formed here, governing the city and defending the kingdom's borders.
• Agriculture: The economy was based on livestock farming, particularly sheep breeding and wool production, as well as grain processing cultivated in the surrounding valleys.
• Religious Influence: From the moment of repopulation, the city became an important religious center with numerous churches and monasteries, which defined its cultural appearance for centuries to come.

Chronology of Avila's Development

The city's history is a journey from a Celtic settlement to a World Heritage site, inextricably linked with the names of kings and saints.

• 5th century BC — The Vettones tribes found the fortified settlement of Obila on a rocky plateau, becoming the predecessor of the modern city.
• 1st century AD — The settlement is integrated into the Roman Empire, acquiring the features of a Roman municipium with developed infrastructure.
• 1085 — After the territory comes under the control of King Alfonso VI, an active process of repopulating these lands with Christians begins.
• 1090 — Under the leadership of Count Raymond of Burgundy, the massive construction of the famous fortress wall encircling the entire city begins.
• 1170 — Construction begins on the Cathedral of San Salvador, which architectural historians consider the first Gothic temple in Spain.
• 1256 — King Alfonso X the Wise grants the city important trade privileges, contributing to the flourishing of fairs and crafts.
• 1482 — Construction is completed on the Royal Monastery of Santo Tomás, which becomes the favorite summer residence of the Catholic Monarchs.
• 1515 — Teresa de Cepeda y Ahumada is born into a noble family of the city; she is the future Saint Teresa of Avila, who brought worldwide fame to the city.
• 1562 — Saint Teresa founds the Monastery of San José, becoming the first convent of the reformed Order of Discalced Carmelites.
• 1863 — The railway arrives in Avila, connecting the city with Madrid and opening it up to travelers.
• 1982 — Pope John Paul II visits the city, confirming Avila's status as one of the main spiritual centers of Europe.
• 1985 — The historic city center ("Old Town") and its churches outside the fortress walls are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stages of Urban and Cultural Development

The architectural and social appearance of Avila was formed over centuries under the influence of wars, religion, and trade. Several key milestones can be highlighted that defined the modern look of the city and the lifestyle of its inhabitants:

• Roman Urbanization: In the 1st–2nd centuries AD, a rectangular street grid characteristic of Roman cities was laid out. This defined the basic layout of the historic center, which remains to this day, and also created the foundation for future engineering communications.
• Construction of Fortress Walls (12th century): The erection of the stone belt not only protected the city but also clearly zoned the space. The wall separated the administrative and religious center (where the nobility and clergy lived) from the suburbs where artisans and peasants settled, setting the vector of the city's development for centuries.
• Flourishing of the Wool Trade (15th–16th centuries): Thanks to its proximity to the royal livestock trails, Avila became wealthy from the production and sale of wool. The economic boom allowed the local aristocracy to build dozens of stone mansion-fortresses (casas-palacios), forming a unique architectural ensemble of civil buildings.
• Era of Mysticism (16th century): The activities of Saint Teresa and the reform of the Carmelite Order led to the active construction of new monasteries and temples. This consolidated Avila's status as the main spiritual center of Castile and significantly changed the city panorama.
• Arrival of the Railway (1863): The opening of the railway connection with Madrid was a turning point for the economy. This event brought the city out of isolation, simplified the delivery of goods, and began to attract the first travelers who appreciated the medieval atmosphere.
• World Heritage Status (1985): The inclusion of the old city in the UNESCO list finally reoriented Avila's economy towards cultural tourism. This entailed large-scale programs for the restoration of monuments, pedestrianization of streets, and the creation of modern tourist infrastructure.

Urban Structure: The Fortress City

The architectural appearance of Avila is unique in its integrity and adherence to the defensive function. The urban space has been formed for centuries around the main monument — the fortress wall, creating a clear zoning:

• Intramuros: The historic core inside the walls. The medieval layout has been preserved here with narrow, often winding streets connecting small squares, aristocratic palaces, and main temples.
• Extramuros: Districts outside the walls (suburbs), where market squares historically formed, artisans settled, and large monastery complexes were erected, serving as additional outposts.

Architectural Styles and Eras

The main building material of Avila has always been grey granite. This gave the city a stern, monumental look, uniting buildings of different eras into a single ensemble.

Romanesque Style (11th–13th centuries)

A period of active repopulation and border fortification. Avila is one of the key centers of Romanesque architecture in Spain.

• Fortress Walls: A masterpiece of medieval military engineering encircling the old city.
• Basilica of San Vicente: Located outside the walls, it is a benchmark example of Romanesque architecture with characteristic arched galleries.
• Church of San Pedro: A monumental temple on the Mercado Grande square, preserving strict Romanesque forms.

Gothic (12th–15th centuries)

An era when city fortifications began to combine with the refinement of religious art. In Avila, Gothic has a distinctly "martial" character.

• Cathedral of San Salvador: Considered the first Gothic cathedral in Spain. Its unique feature is the apse, built directly into the fortress wall and acting as a powerful defensive tower (Cimorro).
• Royal Monastery of Santo Tomás: A striking example of late Gothic (Isabelline style), built in the late 15th century as a summer residence for monarchs.

Renaissance (16th century)

Avila's "Golden Age". The nobility and military elite, enriched by the wool trade, rebuilt the city, erecting luxurious residences.

• Nobility Palaces (Casas-Palacios): Many mansions are concentrated within the walls (for example, Palacio de los Velada, Palacio de Polentinos, or Palacio de los Verdugo). Their architecture combines Renaissance inner courtyards with patios and stern exterior facades resembling fortresses.

Modernity and Integration

Urban development in the 20th–21st centuries aims to preserve the historical panorama. New buildings are placed outside the visual influence on the walls or carefully integrated into the landscape.

• Lienzo Norte Congress Center: An example of modern architecture, the building is designed to harmonize with the granite rock and open up the best view of the fortress wall.

Notable Figures of Avila

This city, sheltered behind powerful fortress walls, became the cradle for great mystics, musicians, and statesmen. Their legacy turned Avila into one of the spiritual and cultural centers of Spain.

• Saint Teresa of Avila (Teresa de Cepeda y Ahumada)
  Nun, mystic, writer, and reformer (1515–1582)
  The most famous native of the city and one of the main saints of the Catholic world. She reformed the Carmelite Order, founding the "Discalced Carmelites" branch, and left behind significant literary works. Teresa became the first woman to be proclaimed a Doctor of the Church, and her image is a symbol of Avila.
• Tomás Luis de Victoria
  Composer and priest (1548–1611)
  The greatest Spanish composer of the Renaissance, often called the "Spanish Palestrina". A native of Avila, he became famous for his spiritual polyphonic music, which is still performed in cathedrals around the world. The city's music conservatory is named after him.
• Adolfo Suárez
  Politician, first Prime Minister of democratic Spain (1932–2014)
  A key figure of the transition period (Transición) after the Franco regime. Although born in the province (in Cebreros), Suárez always maintained a close connection with the city. He is buried in the cloister of Avila Cathedral, and the phrase "Concord was possible" is carved on his tombstone.
• Saint John of the Cross (Juan de la Cruz)
  Mystic poet and theologian (1542–1591)
  Although born in the neighboring town of Fontiveros, his spiritual formation is closely linked to Avila. Here he studied and became the closest associate of Saint Teresa in the reform of the Carmelites. He is considered one of the best poets to have written in the Spanish language.
• Alonso de Madrigal (El Tostado)
  Bishop, theologian, and royal advisor (c. 1410–1455)
  An influential bishop of Avila, whose incredible productivity as a writer gave rise to the saying in Spain "to write more than El Tostado". His magnificent alabaster tomb in Avila Cathedral is a masterpiece of 15th-century sculpture.
• Gil González Dávila
  Conquistador and explorer (1480–1526)
  A native of Avila who led expeditions to Central America. He is known as the discoverer of the territory of modern Nicaragua and Lake Nicaragua, playing an important role in the Age of Discovery.
• Prince Juan of Aragon and Castile
  Heir to the Spanish throne (1478–1497)
  The only son of the Catholic Monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand. His early death changed the course of history, as the throne eventually passed to the Habsburg dynasty. The prince is buried in Avila, in the Royal Monastery of Santo Tomás, in a magnificent marble sarcophagus.