Last March, I spent a weekend in beautiful Castilla y León, and kicked off the weekend in Ávila, a tiny town with a big wall.
Why’s the wall so important? It dates back all the way to medieval times, and it’s about 2,500 meters (about 8,200 feet). The wall has 88 large towers and surrounds the entire old city. It’s in astonishing condition today, considering they started working on it around 1090!
Apart from being historically important, I thought the walls were very pretty, especially when their sandy color stood out against the ominously darkening sky. Just as we passed through the walls for our last glimpse of the city, the skies opened up and it started to rain. We got back in the bus right when it started to really pour.
P.S. I believe they are technically fortress walls, not castle walls, but castle sounds much more exciting!
(On an entirely unrelated note, I’m off out early tonight because it’s a Clásico match: Barcelona versus Madrid! Estimated post-party arrival time this morning: 6 a.m. ¡Visca Barça!)
Besos!
-Jess
Fortress sounds more medieval, though.
I do love that ominous sky…
Haha true! “Fortress” might be more medieval…
I’ve never been to Ávila, but last June I saw the city from above. My flight to Madrid flew over Ávila. It was great to get to see it!
And what about the party since Barça didn’t win…?
Ooh it must look great from above!
We still had a party – after all, Barça didn’t lose either
Well done, about the party. And you’re right, Barça didn’t lose either!
I’ve never been like those kind of people that when their team doesn’t win, they get extremely sad and they don’t want to do anything… {in case it sounded like this on my previous comment 
}
Ávila. I have but two words to say: Bloody. Freezing.
Went there once, and I don’t think I’ve ever been this cold in my whole entire life!
But pretty, very pretty. As was the drive there from Toledo. Worth the frost-bitten ears. Sort of.
It was cold when I went too! When did you go? I was there in March, and it was sooo chilly.
I think around the same time! A friend of mine went in November, and she had a terrible time because of the cold.
I am planning a trip to Avila soon – got to check out that wall! Any restaurant recommendations?
You know, I was only there for half a day and I don’t think I ate there. Sorry! I’m sure there’s delicious food to be had though.