Welcome to la tierra de cantos y santos, the land of stones and saints. This is Ávila, the capital of Castilla y León, a medieval city with a well-preserved fortified wall which is listed on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites.
Taking a step back (as if I could really take in ALL of it), I continued to stare in awe. This fortress was first built as a defence against the Moors in the late 11th century. Today, part of the wall is open to visitors.
Las Murallas - The walls of Ávila
Just outside the perimeter of the wall, there are wide walkways where people can stroll leisurely along with their families, watching the sun set over the plains
In the heart of the enclosure within the city walls is the
Ayuntamiento (town hall), located at Plaza de la Victoria. Arcades of bars and restaurants surround the plaza. Ávila's main shopping streets can also be found around this square.
Ávila: Arcades of bars and restaurants surround Plaza de la Victoria where you can find the Ayuntamiento
Outside the wall, next to the Puerta del Alcázar is a white stone carving of St. Teresa, the female patron saint of Ávila
The inside view of Cathedral of Ávila
The robust and fortress-like Cathedral of Ávila is flushed against the east side of the wall. It was first constructed in the 11th century, with changes being made to it between the 12th and 14th centuries. Today, the cathedral is seen to have a mix of Romanesque & Gothic style of architecture.
Not to be confused with the upmarket district in Madrid, Salamanca here refers to another ancient city in Castilla y León.
Clustered along part of the River Tormes, the city of Salamanca had been under the reigns of various powers from the Carthaginians, to the Romans, to the Moors. This enchanting city is declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is also well-known for its university, which is the oldest in Spain (founded in the early 13th century).
The external façades of Salamanca's Holy Spirit Church (La Clerecía) and the House of Shells (Casa de la Conchas), a building that dates back to the 15th century
View of the cathedrals from the opposite side
Simple pleasures...in the historical centre of Salamanca
Salamanca's Roman Bridge, made of granite arches
The astronaut carving on the external façade of Salamanca's New Cathedral
One of the quirky things to notice 'hidden' among the ornate carvings of the New Cathedral is this little astronaut which seems totally out of place on the façade of a religious monument. This playful carving is one of the contemporary symbols added during a restoration of the New Cathedral in 1992. It is common practice for architects to 'sign-off' their work and Jeronimo Garcia, who was responsible for the restoration chose an astronaut as he sees it a befitting representation of the 20th century.
** If you think that's strange, try spotting a demon holding an ice cream cone too. Also, don't forget to spot the frog carving on the university building's façade, as there's a belief that if you do, you'd be blessed with good luck and a promising love life
Felicia F / Expatica
Felicia F is a Singaporean blogger and avid traveller currently based in Madrid, Spain. Follow her travel & photo blog, The Wandering Stardust, to find out the latest happenings in Madrid and her favourite spots in Spain.
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In Castilla y León, photographer Felicia F visits not one, but two World Heritage Sites that swept her off her feet.
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