Travel with Kevin and Ruth: The walled city of Avila, Spain

We left our nice spot by the stream as soon as we got up at 7:30am. It was only a short drive to the small city of Avila, and we were headed to a laundromat that opened at 8:00am. We figured if we got there early, we could get laundry done while having breakfast, then go explore the city.

Found a great parking spot right by the laundry, and close enough to the center that we could walk in.

And the laundry was one of the best we've ever used!

Everything automatic, even the detergent and fabric softener, with payment by credit card.

Super clean and modern.

One large load, washed and dried for €8 ($11.75 CAD, $8.75 USD). Not bad.

With that done, we set off to explore the city. We also had one single photo of my fathers to match up. Why he would come to Avila and only take one photo, we're not sure. Maybe he ran out of film??

The main attraction of Avila is the huge wall.

The defensive wall of Avila was begun in the year 1090, and mostly completed during the 12th century. It's length is around 2.5 kms (just over a mile) and it surrounds the core of the old city. There are 87 turrets, 9 gates, and 2,500 merlons. Yes, a merlon is one of those solid upright things on the top of the wall. You learn something new every day!

The wall, and the Puerta del Carmen entrance gate.

The Avila wall in 1954.

Same view in 2023.

From there, we could see the motorhome parking area.

But it's a pricey €12 a night, with another €6 for electric if you need it.

Good thing there are also free options.

We headed through the gate to explore old town...

Carmen gate.

Decoration above a window at the Chapel of Mosen Rubi.

Ruth, in the Palace of Bracamonte.

Built in the 16th century, it now houses government offices.

Ruth, at the Palace of Los Verdugo.

These are pure silver mazas, made in 1590.

They are ceremonial mallets used in processions even today.

Looking up at the wood ceiling in the stairwell.

Another of the nine gates.

The Basilica of San Vicente.

Built in stages between the 13th to 15th centuries.

Pedestrian street in old town Avila.

Interesting architecture.

More of the wall.

Another gate.

Nice view.

We walked back to Max, had some lunch and a rest, then headed out again...

Some kind of old factory outside of the wall.

We walked up to an old monument called Los Cuatro Postes (The Four Posts). The site was built in 1566, but historians say it was built on the site of what was a small temple during Roman times. The site gives a great view of the walled city.

The walled city of Avila.

From there, we walked back inside the walled city...

The Plaza del Mercado Chico is pretty quiet during siesta!

Scenery along the way.

Another plaza in old town Avila.

Ruth and a fountain.

It is impossible to get a complete photo of the cathedral.

Inscription from 1609.

Cathedral entrance.

Once again, we didn't go inside. They want €15 for a pass to visit a whole bunch of churches and a few other attractions, but we've been in enough churches and didn't see the value for us.

The back of the cathedral was amazing construction though.

How did they get those huge support blocks up there back then?

More of the outside of the wall.

View of the modern part of Avila.

We didn't think our parking spot was good enough for an overnight, so we decided to drive about a half an hour outside of Avila towards our next destination of Salamanca.