Basilica of San Vicente

Few sights in Ávila are quite as unmissable as the Basilica of San Vicente. After the Cathedral of the Saviour, it is the largest and most important church in the city, and experts rank it among the most outstanding Romanesque buildings anywhere in the country. Anyone who visits will therefore find far more than a neighbourhood church: this is a monument of the first order within Spain's heritage.

Its full name already tells part of its story. Officially it is the Basilica of the Holy Martyred Siblings Vincent, Sabina and Christeta, although everyone in the city simply calls it San Vicente. The shared dedication honours these three siblings venerated as martyrs, whose memory gives the church its meaning and explains the devotion that has long surrounded the site.

Recognition of its worth came early. In 1882 it was declared a National Monument, a distinction reserved at the time for buildings considered essential to the country's artistic history. A century later, in 1985, it gained worldwide endorsement when it was specifically included as a World Heritage Site, as part of the ensemble known as the Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches.

That very name offers a useful hint for planning your visit. San Vicente belongs to the group of churches that complement the value of walled Ávila, so it is best explored as part of a wider stroll through the historic city. Taking it in at a leisurely pace, after seeing the cathedral, helps you appreciate just how many of Romanesque art's most brilliant chapters were written in Ávila.