Avila, Town of Stones and Saints

Close to Madrid are many interesting places to visit. Most of them are declared World Heritage sites by UNESCO.

Avila is a nice small city, located in the region of Castile and Leon, a preferred destination for a one day trip from Madrid. The town was founded in 11th century and is so well preserved and maintained that creates a truly magnificent medieval feeling.

We visited the city on the day of its 30 years university as a UNESCO Heritage Site. The most remarkable landscape of the city is the 12 m high city wall.

We are greatly impressed by the walls of Avila. Having traveling around Spain, this wall is the most fascinating thing we have seen.

Gate Alcazar

The best way to enjoy the wall and to feel its dimensions is to walk on the wall. The views above the city and the surroundings are unforgettable.

Truly amazing views.

A view from a distance and the enclosed city area. Here we can feel the size of the wall and its 88 towers.

Right close to the wall is the Cathedral of Avila.

Cathedral of Avila is a notable building because it is built within the wall.

Right in front of the wall is the Basilica San Vicente, another landmark of the medieval city.

Following the maze of small narrow crowded streets we reach the main square of Avila. 

Plaza Mayor of Avila is small but cozy place, surrounded by restaurants. This striking place is still worth to visit.

Nearby is Convento de Santa Teresa, dedicated to one of the most important catholic saints, the Carmelite Nun Santa Teresa.

We stroll along the  the wall and enjoy marvelous views around the wall and over the region during this sunny day.

Plaza de Santa Teresa and the Iglesia of San Pedro

View towards the wall and the cathedral.

We enjoy our trip to Avila and learned more about its history. At every corner the city offers a breathtaking travel to the past.

Avila is definitely a great place to visit, few cities in Europe could offer such antique and great walls and unique atmosphere.

Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid during fall season

Situated close to the Atocha main station and just beside the El Prado museum, Real Jardin Botanico offers a combination of flowers, unique trees, statues and fountains.

The nicely conserved royal garden is a quiet place in the busy city, revealing the beauty of life and harmony of nature.

Using the garden map we visit every hidden corner of the huge garden and enjoy the numerous different small gardens related to specific plants and revealing different themes. Here is the best place not just to admire the beautiful flora but to study botany as well.

Lots of benches and remote gardens offer places for complete relaxation.

Wonderful autumn leaf colors made the garden spectacular.

Great collection of plants brought here from different continents.

Nice and enjoyable sunny day during the fall season.

A very pleasant place to walk around and enjoy trees from different continents.

El Real Jardin Botanico definitely worth a look when visiting the Spanish capital.

Manzanares el Real

Manzanares el Real is a small town at the heart of Parque Regional de la Cuenca Alta del Manzanares.

The picturesque town is located at the foot of Sierra de Guadarrama,-the mountain range close to Madrid and at the shore of Santillana lake.

We reach the town from Madrid and the travel takes about one hour. Manzanares is famous with its medieval castle, one of the best preserved and most important in Spain and the splendid nature, represented by the stone granite complex- La Pedriza.

The castle built by Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza in 1383, is in Romanesque-Mudejar style. Here lived during centuries the reach Mendoza family.

The superb castle is declared as a National Monument in Spain.

Inner court with columns.

The castle is like a labyrinth, we just kept climbing up stairs and end up finding a new floor or entrance to another room or a tower.

The salons are furnished with beautiful tapestries and paintings.

The bedroom.

A beautiful set of large windows arches.

The castle has four columns decorated with balls.

Some nice views of the top of the castle, the mountain and the countryside around.

Enjoyable views of the lake Santillana reservoir, an important part of the water supply of Madrid and its surroundings.

Manzanares el Real is one of the most exceptional places located close to Madrid, a perfect choice for one unforgettable trip. The eye-catching landscape is also impressive by the unusual and enormous rock formation of la Pedriza. 

Salamanca- La Dorada

Located at the Northwestern part of Spain in the region of Castile and Leon, Salamanca is UNESCO World Heritage site rich in architectural, religious and gastronomic culture.

Salamanca is one of the most significant and prestigious academic centers in Spain and Europe. Here is the oldest university in Spain which is the fourth oldest western university. The city hosts many national and international students, bringing a unique atmosphere.

Salamanca has been a Roman settlement, which has changed and developed within ages. Today the Baroque and Renaissance buildings dominate the local atmosphere and the main attractions are within a walking distance.

The old cathedral built in 12th century.


This wonderful cathedral is inspiring and a fine example of Romanesque architecture.

In front of the cathedral is the Palacio de Anaya.

Very close is located the new cathedral built in 17^th century. The façade is fabulously covered with many elements, representing religious and mythological scenes.

Façade of the church of La Clerecía.

Opposite of the monumental façade of the church is the famous Casa de Conchas.

All walls outside are covered with shells, symbolizing the Order of Santiago.

Casa de Conchas is nowadays used for exhibitions.The courtyard and the balcony represent a complete harmony of beauty and style.

The University of Salamanca is a place of glorious history, traditions and reputation. We were impressed by the rich façade and spent quite some time looking for the famous frog on the skull above the main gate. 

The majestic building is impressive with its amazing architecture.

Behind the paved square Patio de Escuelas and right opposite to the main entrance of the university is a lovely courtyard with a lawn, quiet spectacular as well.

This is one beautiful example of a closed garden. One of the finest we have ever seen.

Plaza Mayor is the heart of Salamanca. This charming baroque plaza is one of the most beautiful in Spain. The jewelry shops, cafes and bars are amazing. 

This is definitely a great place to enjoy a caña and some tapas during sightseeing tour around the city of Salamanca.

The city hall is also located here.

St. Stephan Convent is hosting the Dominicans order. This is a huge complex of buildings particularly impressive with its calm and beauty. Inside is as impressive as outside and it is well worth the time to visit.

View towards the city and Ponte Romano, a superbly picturesque place.

The wonderful Roman Bridge built in the 1st century crosses the wide river area.

We find at every corner green areas and beautiful gardens.

Beautiful and full of light- Salamanca has a unique flair and vibrant atmosphere.  Here we enjoyed every spectacular view in a city full with history and traditions.

Segovia

Located in the plains of Castile and Leon, Segovia is one of the most important historical cities close to Madrid.

The old town of Segovia and its Aqueduct are declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

The most remarkable place, which definitely marks the historical features of the city, is the Roman Aqueduct.

We take the stairs to the top of the Aqueduct. 

Several viewing points reveal marvelous views over the Aqueduct and its dimensions and the square below. Quite impressive!

Strolling through the picturesque old town with its narrow, twisting streets, bordered with a medieval wall and two rivers, we reach the main square.

Plaza Mayor where Isabella the Catholic has been crowned as a queen. Nowadays the place offers nice restaurants. The best location to take a rest and enjoy the Spanish atmosphere.

The cathedral of Segovia is a real masterpiece of Spanish architecture with its dimensions, numerous fine windows, spires and statutes.

  

The royal palace Alcazar is acknowledged as one of the most remarkable castles in Spain. Located on a rock above the confluence of two rivers, initially the building was used as a fortress and later reconstructed to a castle.

It has been the most favorite residence of the King of Castile. In the chapel here Henry IV married Anna of Austria

Armory room.

The Throne room.

The bedroom.

From the tower we enjoy stunning views over the cathedral the medieval city wall and Guadarrama mountains.

View towards the Roman Catholic monastery of Saint Mary of Parral...

and the valley below.

Going back to the city center we pass through San Esteban Church placed in the heart of Segovia.