Avila City Walls

Avila is yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site waiting to be checked off.  It's the largest remaining walled city in Europe, preserved from medieval times. We walked to the 4-Posts viewpoint, and we walked on top of the walls, always a favorite of mine; to my suprise, walking around the outside of the walls at night was even better.

We were in town on Friday of Pain. There was a procession, bonus!

The view from behind the driver on our train from Madrid to Avila, Spain.

Aliva's Plaza Mayor is decked out for the upcoming Easter Week (Semana Santa).

A short walk across the river to the "4-Posts" with a view back to Avila and its 2.5 kms of city walls. Wow!

The walls with their 88 towers and 9 gates are very striking and photo-worthy at night.

Of course it's also pretty neat to walk on top of the walls with views down below like this one to Iglesia San Vicente.

And over to the Cathedral which is embedded in the wall.

Along the towers.

Sun-Ling is soooo happy walking on the walls.

View over the far wall to snow-dusted peaks in the distance.

More of the 88 towers.

View Across Plaza de Santa Teresa to Iglesia de San Pedro.

The Paseo " evening stroll” along the walls.

The Semana Santa (Holy Week) procession for Friday of Pain (a week before Good Friday). A paso (platform) with images of Mary and Jesus is carried around town - there are men underneath the paso's skirt. Also in the procession is a brass band, and hooded or cloaked men and women of the confradia (association) who inact/sponsor the event. The paso is carried through Plaza Mayor.

The tears of Maria.

Stay tuned for more of Holy Week as we head to Zamora for 9 days of processions.