Within the Walls

The next stop on our Spanish adventure was the ancient, walled city of Ávila. Although our apartment was in no way historic, it was within the walls making the experience of staying here extra special.

Our ground floor apartment was in a rabbit warren of small apartment blocks, down some steep ramps and quite a distance from the nearest point we could get the car. It took longer to unload. We don’t travel light! With the changing table balanced on the hoist, boxes stacked on Racheal’s small buggy and of course our trolley, we made as few journeys as possible before I moved the car round the corner where I could park on the road.

It was Palm Sunday the first day we explored. It was also very cold and windy, a stark change from the weather in Seville! The city is built on a steep hillside and we were staying towards the bottom of it! By the time we ventured out and made our way up the steep, cobbled streets it was late morning. The Palm Sunday procession was about to begin, but the wind was causing issues for the band and other members of the procession. As it was cold and getting close to Racheal’s lunchtime, we sat in a café on the route where we could hear the band and pop out to take some photos.

After lunch we found the tourist information centre to gather leaflets and a map. There were some excellent wooden models, with information in braille, for those with visual impairments to feel. Unfortunately they were too high for Racheal to reach from her wheelchair.

We walked back to, and right round, the cathedral, which is partly built into the city wall, before going inside. The floats for the various Easter processions were just inside the nave, so we were able to have a good look at them. In the cloister there were some VR headsets allowing you to fly, virtually, over the cathedral and the city while listening to some of the history.

Our return walk to the flat took us along a path outside the walls for a while, then back through one of the city gates.

The middle day of our Ávila stay saw us visiting another city, that of Segovia and its famous Roman aqueduct. The weather was much warmer, and the 50 minute drive passed quickly. We found a convenient parking place a spent an enjoyable few hours looking around. It was steep in places so we took turns to push Racheal on the way to the top of the aqueduct.

In the cloisters of Segovia cathedral were some examples of the tools used to build it and move the stones. The ceilings of the small chapels were very decorative as was the chapter house.

On our way to and from Segovia we passed a view point overlooking Ávila. A compulsory photo stop both ways!

That evening we were out in Ávila to see the walls lit up when we came across another Holy Week procession. It was accompanied by a band which Racheal enjoyed. Seeing the figure of Christ on the cross being carried up the hill and through the city gate was a very moving experience, reminding us of the sacrifice He made for our eternal freedom.

The last day of our stay in Ávila we went for a walk along the northern boundary, which we hadn’t yet explored. We found a small museum displaying the costumes and flags of the brotherhoods of Ávila and more interesting architecture including a postbox in the shape of a lion’s head.

After lunch in the apartment, we made our way down the hill to the accessible part of the city wall. There were two ramps (or a lift that was out of order) for wheelchair users to gain access to a short stretch of the ramparts. There were also some towers to climb, but they were not accessible for Racheal.

Next, we made our way down to the river for a pleasant stroll and a cafe stop before returning to pack, once again, for the last leg of our trip (between some fun with balloons and playing music on Summer’s phone!