The 12th-century Ávila Cathedral is a strong, fortress-like cathedral adjoining the famous medieval walls of Ávila.

History of Avila Cathedral

Construction on Ávila Cathedral began in 1095shortly 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 at Avila Cathedral

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 than the Romanesque, 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 the brownish tone of the tomb).

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 medieval religious icons.

Quick Facts on Avila Cathedral

Site Information
Names:	Ávila Cathedral · Avila Cathedral · Catedral · Cathedral of San Salvador
Country:	Spain
Categories:	cathedrals; World Heritage Sites
Styles:	Romanesque; Gothic
Dedication:	Holy Savior
Dates:	12th-14th C
Status:	active
Visitor and Contact Information
Coordinates:	40.655647° N, 4.697245° W
Address:	Plaza Catedral Avila, Spain
Phone:	92-021-16-41
Hours:	May-Sep: daily 9:30am-1:30pm and 3:30-8pm Oct-Apr: daily 10am-1:30pm and 3:30-6pm Closed Jan 1, Jan 6, Oct 15, Dec 25
Lodging:	View hotels near Avila Cathedral

Note: This information was accurate when first published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours and prices can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

References

1. A Cathedral-Fortress - Avila Tourism
2. The Rough Guide to Spain 11, pp. 178-79.
3. Catedral de Avila - Frommer's Spain

More Information

• Photos of Avila Cathedral - here on Sacred Destinations