Basílica de San Vicente

Ávila


This graceful church is a masterpiece of Romanesque simplicity: a series of largely Gothic modifications in sober granite contrasted with the warm sandstone of the Romanesque original. Work started in the 11th century, supposedly on the site where three martyrs – Vicente and his sisters, Sabina and Cristeta – were slaughtered by the Romans in the early 4th century. Their canopied cenotaph is an outstanding piece of Romanesque style, with nods to the Gothic.

Take a look at the weathered headstones on the floor of the main nave – some date back to the 17th century. Also of note is the peaceful Jardín de San Vicente across the road, which was once a Roman cemetery.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Ávila attractions

1. Jardín de San Vicente

0.05 MILES

The peaceful Jardín de San Vicente, across the road from the Basilica de San Vicente and in the shadow of the city walls, was once a Roman cemetery.

2. Museo Provincial

0.1 MILES

This regional museum includes local ethnographic exhibits (the 1932 photos by Albert Klemm are particularly interesting), as well as Roman artefacts and…

3. Iglesia de San Andrés

0.12 MILES

North of the old city and dating from the 12th century, this is Ávila's oldest church and a fine example of Romanesque architecture, although the exterior…

5. Iglesia de Santo Tomé El Viejo

0.14 MILES

This church dates from the 13th century, and it was from this pulpit that Santa Teresa was castigated most vehemently for her reforms. It has been…

6. Palacio Los Serrano

0.15 MILES

A cultural centre, this daringly renovated space is also used for contemporary art exhibitions.

7. Catedral del Salvador

0.16 MILES

Ávila's 12th-century cathedral is both a house of worship and an ingenious fortress: its stout granite apse forms the central bulwark in the historic city…

8. Puerta del Alcázar

0.25 MILES

Access to a 300m stretch of Ávila's walls is from just inside the Puerta del Alcázar.

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "spain/castilla-y-leon/avila/attractions/basilica-de-san-vicente/a/poi-sig/487884/360756",
      "destination": "Ávila",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Spain",
      "city": "Ávila",
      "position": "superzone"
    }