Avila Cathedral 
View of the fortress-like cathedral from the city walls to the south.
Photo
Hannah Swithinbank.
Closer look at the apse and south transept from the walls.
Photo
Malcolm Smith.
Portal and single tower of the facade. Photo
Tony Gálvez.
Gothic section of the nave, looking east. Photo
Gustavo Marin. 
Romanesque east end of Avila Cathedral. Photo
Br Lawrence Lew, OP.
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 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
Site Information |
| Names: | Avila Cathedral; Catedral; Ávila Cathedral; Cathedral of San Salvador |
| Dedicated to: | Holy Savior |
| Location: | Avila, Castile and Leon, Spain |
| Category: | Cathedrals; World Heritage Sites |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Status: | active |
| Date: | 12th-14th century |
| Architecture: | Romanesque, Gothic |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 40.655647° N, 4.697245° W (view on Google Maps) |
| Address: | Plaza Catedral, Ávila, 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 |
| Cost: | €4 |
Travel Resources
- Avila Map - our detailed interactive map of Avila, plus hand-picked links to more
- Avila Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, then book at the guaranteed lowest rate
- Avila Hostels - reserve budget lodgings with no booking fees
- Avila Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Avila tourism
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Avila 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 Avila Map.
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- A Cathedral-Fortress - Avila Tourism
- The Rough Guide to Spain 11, pp. 178-79.
- Catedral de Avila - Frommer's Spain
Article last updated: 10/09/2009.
