The Basilica de San Vicente (St. Vincent's Basilica) is an interesting Romanesque church just outside the walls of Ávila.

History of Basilica de San Vicente

The Basilica de San Vicente stands on the traditional site of the martyrdom of St. Vincent at the hands of the Romans.

According to legend, a rich Jew laughed at the saint's execution, but afterwards he was nearly suffocated by a serpent that emerged miraculously from the rocks. He repented, converted, and built a church on the site.

The Basilica de San Vicente that stands today dates from the 12th century and is mostly Romanesque in style.

What to See at Basilica de San Vicente

The 12th-century portals and portico of the Basilica de San Vicente are fine examples of Romanesque architecture. The interior is also Romanesque but with some later additions.

The basilica has three very high naves and three apses. The large nave has a triforium covered by a dome with Gothic fan-vaulting; the apses have pipe and bowl domes. The domes are supported by large cruciform pillars on cylindrical plinths.

The capitals are finely decorated with plant motifs as well as animals from griffins, lions, elephants, snakes, birds, wolves, and storks to fantastic creatures, centaurs, mermaids or human figures.

The tomb of San Vicente is sculpted with the gory events of the saint's torture and execution and in the crypt there is a rock said to be the site of the martyrdom and where the serpent appeared.