Walls of Ávila

About this place

Built and developed between the 11th and 14th centuries, these walls still form a complete circuit around the old town. Their closely spaced towers reveal how medieval defence shaped Ávila. Follow the perimeter to understand the relationship between the gates, settlement and surrounding countryside. The walls protected the settlement while also defining entrances and the boundary between urban life and the countryside. Their survival makes that boundary unusually clear today. Compare the enclosed streets with the open ground outside to understand how the fortifications influenced the way people approached and experienced the town.