Ávila Cathedral
The fortress-like cathedral from the city walls.
Manuel M. Vicente.
Portal and missing tower of the facade. Photo
Jim Forest.
The Romanesque and Gothic sections. Photo
Gustavo Marin. 
Mass at Avila Cathedral. Photo
Jim Forest.
Finely carved wooden choir stalls. Photo
Gustavo Marin. The 12th-century Ávila Cathedral is a strong, fortress-like cathedral adjoining the famous medieval walls of Ávila.
History
Construction on Ávila Cathedral began in 1095 shortly after the Reconquest. The earliest parts were in the Romanesque style and built like a fortress - in fact, the apse ("Cimorro") is built right into the city walls.
Dedicated to San Salvador, Ávila Cathedral is truly a cathedral-castle, with battlements and sentry walks incorporated into the structure. It's not just for looks, either - in the 12th century, Bishop Sancho protected the young Alfonso IX until he became king.
Most of the cathedral that can be seen today was built between the 12th and 14th centuries. During this time, the trend moved from Romanesque to Gothic styles, and the transition can be clearly seen in the interior.
What to See
The west facade looks quite lopsided - the cathedral remains unfinished and the south tower was never built.
Inside, visitors can see the change from Romanesque to Gothic in action — the earlier Romanesque parts are made of a red-and-white stone, while the Gothic parts were built with pure white stone. The Gothic half of the cathedral seems more spacious, yet the proportions are exactly the same.
The coro (choir) and two chapels in the left aisle date from the Renaissance. The elegantly carved stalls of the choir are the work of a Dutch sculptor, Cornelius. Here also is the marble tomb of a 15th-century bishop dubbed El Tostado ("The Toasted," for his skin tone).
Other highlights of the interior include the 13th-century sacristy, with a star-shaped cupola and gold inlay, and the treasury, with a huge silver monstrance and ancient religious icons.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Catedral; Ávila Cathedral; Cathedral of San Salvador |
| Type of site: | Cathedral |
| Faith: | Roman Catholic |
| Dates: | 12th-14th century |
| Location: | Ávila, Spain |
| Hours: | Summer: Mon-Sat 10-8, Sun noon-7; winter: Mon-Fri 10-5, Sat 10-6, Sun noon-6. Closed: Jan 1, Jan 6, Oct 15, Dec 25 |
| Cost: | €3 |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Ávila Cathedral. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Ávila Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
- A Cathedral-Fortress - Avila Tourism
- The Rough Guide to Spain 11, pp. 178-79.
Travel Resources
- Ávila Interactive Map - a bird's eye view, here on Sacred Destinations
- Ávila Hotel Reviews - unbiased opinions from fellow travelers at TripAdvisor
- Ávila Travel Forum - tips, advice and answers at TripAdvisor
