The best road cycling routes around Gotarrendura

The Walls of Ávila are an impressive medieval fortification that surrounds the old town of Ávila, in Castile and León. These walls, built in the 11th century, are one of the best-preserved walled enclosures in Spain and were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

This bridge was built to facilitate crossing the Adaja River and connect the Roman city of Ávila with the opposite bank. Although only the hidden abutments on the edges of the original Roman bridge remain, the bridge visible today dates back to the 12th century.

The truth is that it is a wonderful viewpoint of Ávila.

Half a century ago, the Avila town of Las Berlanas suffered a catastrophe of hitherto unknown proportions. A flood devastated the municipality and one of its main surroundings, El Burgo, in addition to ending the lives of two people. To commemorate this tragic event, a monument has been erected that remembers the victims and the catastrophe, but also the efforts of the people of Berlin to improve themselves.

Aveinte, a name with historical roots, has a fascinating legend dating back to ancient times. Many centuries ago, at the dawn of the Middle Ages, there was a small town in what we know today as Aveinte. The inhabitants of this place were simple people, dedicated mainly to agriculture and livestock. They lived in harmony with nature and worshiped the gods of the earth and sky. One day, during a time of drought and scarcity, the locals gathered in the town square to pray for rain and good harvests. The wise old man of the place, known as Adventius, led the ceremony. With his wrinkled hands and deep voice, he spoke words of supplication to heaven. Legend has it that, at that crucial moment, a mysterious figure appeared among the clouds. He was a luminous being, dressed in white robes and silver hair. The villagers were amazed and knelt before this heavenly presence. The being addressed Adventius and spoke to him in an ancient language that only he understood. “For your devotion and the faith of your people, I will grant a blessing,” he said. “From now on, every twenty years, the waters of the river that runs through Aveinte will overflow, fertilizing the land and ensuring abundant harvests.” Thus the name Aveinte was born, which means “advent” or “arrival” in honor of the heavenly visit. Since then, every twenty years, the river overflows and renews the earth, fulfilling the promise of the luminous being. The inhabitants of Aveinte keep this tradition alive and celebrate “Aveinte” with joy and gratitude. The legend has been passed down from generation to generation, and the town's name remains a reminder of its connection to the divine and renewed hope. So, when you walk through the cobblestone streets of Aveinte, remember this story and the magic that surrounds its name. 🌟🏡

Anyone visiting Avila should definitely visit this viewpoint. You won't find a better view of Avila and especially the imposing wall.

Old Roman bridge that is well preserved and still allows visitors to walk across the river. It's impressive how well the Romans built these structures and how well they were planned to still stand 2000 years later. There's not much to see on the other side, but there are nice views of the western side of the walled city

The place name Mingorría retains Basque reminiscences, deriving from “mendi gorria,” which means “red mountain” or “red land.” This is observed in other cases in the province of Ávila, such as the town of Mendigorría in Navarra. In historical documents, Mingorría already appears as Ningorría, and it is believed that there was an assimilation due to the change of the liquid initials “M” to “N.” Another legend attributes the name of Mingorría to the notice that José Chinchurreta gave to monarch Felipe II, justifying the delay in the supply of granite during the works of the Monastery of El Escorial.