The Walls of Avila

Medieval giants surround the city of Avila, a small yet veritably fortified city. These giant walls of Avila, constructed over a 9 year period in the 11th century, embrace the hometown of the counter reformation Saint Teresa. What is more impressive than the appearance of these walls however, is the diverse effort that went into their construction. Built over Roman ramparts, the walls of Avila owe their making to many hands. Among those who occupied the city of Avila and helped in the wall’s construction are the Romans, Visigoths, Arabs, Jews and Christians. A plaque on the wall compares the giant structures to a great book in which all styles, cultures, languages, and visions of the world are represented - a mixture of influences much like the greater culture of Spain.

Despite Avila’s overwhelming exterior, her people and streets still subscribe to the familial and comfortable Spanish society. Newly wedded couples stroll through the city square in all their finery, while friends meet for a drink in the shaded terraces.

Indeed, everyone, citizen and tourist alike, are quite comfortable in this historical city. After climbing the walls in the melting sun, our group took shelter under the shade of the giant structures. A group of elderly couples came rambling down the street and began to drop in the shade of the walls. A row of gray heads lay in easy company in the grassy shade. An old man beside me leaned over and said, “Así es como vivimos en España.” “This is how we live in Spain.”