The city of Ávila, is built on a flat summit of rocky hill, 1,117 metres above sea level in the region of Castile-León. The climate at such a height results in long, hard winters and short cooler than average Spanish summers.  The city was awarded World Heritage status in 1985.

The city was the birthplace of the 4th-century theologian, Priscillian, who was the first Christian to be executed for heresy.  However the town is most renowned for Saint Teresa de Jesús, the Carmelite reformer who lived from 1515-1582. 

Many miracles and legends have been associated with St. Teresa since her death. The night she died, her monastic cell back in Ávila was said to fill with a pleasant fragrance. When her body was exhumed 330 years later, her coffin emitted the same heavenly fragrance. This miracle is known in Catholicism as the "odor of sanctity."

The convent of St. Teresa is one of two main destinations for pilgrims to Ávila.  It was built in the 17th century after she was canonised by Pope Gregory XV and contains many of her relics including the finger from her right hand.  It remains an active convent today and much of it is closed to visitors but pilgrims can visit an elaborate chapel believed to be built on the site of her birthplace.

Ávila is best known for the medieval city walls that were constructed in 1090 of brown granite.  The eighty-eight towers and nine gateways that form part of the structure are still in excellent repair.  The modern city now spills outside of this perimeter.  The gothic cathedral was integrated into the city’s defences and looks like a fortress.  Built between the 12th & 14th centuries it has embattled walls and two solid towers and contains may sculptures and paintings.

The churches of San Vicente, San Pedro and San Segundo are Romanesque of the 12th century. In the Gothic Monastery of Santo Tomás, erected by the Catholic Queen Isabella in 1482, there is an impressive marble monument, carved by the 15th-century Florentine sculptor Domenico Fancelli, over the tomb of Prince John, the only son of Ferdinand and Isabella.

Ávila’s rich and varied cuisine shows influence of Muslim, Hebrew and Christian cultures.  Soups, stews, roast suckling pig, roast lamb and veal steaks are a manifestation of the agricultural and cattle-raising traditions of the region.  Other dishes include the Moragueño-style chickpea stew, cabbage ajoarriero, stuffed peppers and the popular patatas revolconas, which are mashed potatoes, dressed with paprika and bacon bits.

Ávila is also famous for its yemas de Santa Teresa - egg yolk candies named after the patron saint

Festivals and celebrations include:
May 2nd - St. Segundo, city’s Patron Saint - St. Segundo day is celebrated, commemorating the transfer of the saint's remains to the Cathedral of Avila in 1594.

First weekend in June - “La ronda de las Leyendas” (The legend’s round) - During this time the city becomes the suitable scenery for the representation of the Legends of Ávila, staged by a dramatic group

First weekend in September - Medieval Celebrations – During this time, the city recovers its medieval image with stalls, incense scents, rosemary, cheeses, jousters and knights occupying downtown squares.

October 15th - St. Teresa de Jesús festivities - The city honours its most universal daughter with a celebration that begins with an opening speech from the Town Hall balconies followed by a solemn mass in the cathedral and finishes with a procession through the main city streets.  Giants, “cabezudos” (figures with large heads) and dragons, cross the streets according to the tradition. Concerts, bullfights, fireworks and sport activities are developed throughout this festive week.