# Ávila

> municipality in Castile and León, Spain

**Wikidata**: [Q15688](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15688)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ávila)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/avila

## Summary
Ávila is a municipality and historic city located in the province of Ávila within the autonomous community of Castile and León, Spain. It serves as the capital of its province and is renowned for its well-preserved medieval walls, which are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site designated for criteria (iii) and (iv). The city is also the patronage of Saint Teresa of Ávila and functions as a significant administrative, cultural, and religious center in central Europe.

## Key Facts
*   **Official Name:** Ávila
*   **Classification:** Municipality of Spain and City
*   **Location:** Province of Ávila, Castile and León, Spain, Europe
*   **Coordinates:** 40.654347222222° N, -4.6962222222222° W
*   **Elevation:** 1,132 meters above sea level
*   **Area:** 231.9 square kilometers
*   **Population (2025):** 59,107 (preferred value, register office method)
*   **Population (2019 Census):** 57,744 total (27,474 male, 30,270 female)
*   **Timezone:** UTC+01:00 (Standard/Central European Time) and UTC+02:00 (Daylight Saving/Central European Summer Time)
*   **Postal Codes:** 05001–05006
*   **Local Dialing Code:** 920
*   **INE Code:** 05019
*   **Patron Saint:** Teresa of Ávila
*   **Head of Government (Current):** Jesús Manuel Sánchez Cabrera (since June 15, 2019)
*   **World Heritage Status:** "Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches"
*   **Member Of:** Ciudades Patrimonio de la Humanidad de España, Red de Juderías de España
*   **Twin Towns:** Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Rueil-Malmaison, Teramo, Rhodes
*   **GND ID:** 4079893-8
*   **VIAF ID:** 155931767
*   **Official Website:** https://www.avila.es/

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status and location of Ávila?**
Ávila is a municipality and city that serves as the capital of the Province of Ávila within the autonomous community of Castile and León in Spain. It is situated in southwestern Europe and is part of the larger administrative structure of the Spanish state.

**How has the population of Ávila changed over the last two decades?**
The population has fluctuated between approximately 50,000 and 59,000 residents since 2001, with a recorded low of 50,241 in 2002 and a preferred 2025 estimate of 59,107. Data derived from register offices shows a general upward trend from the early 2000s, peaking in 2013 at 59,258 before stabilizing in recent years.

**What are the geographical extremes of the municipality?**
The municipality's elevation ranges from a lowest point of 975 meters at the Adaja river to a highest point of 1,540 meters at Alto de Casasola. The city itself sits at an average elevation of 1,132 meters above sea level.

**Which organizations and heritage networks is Ávila a part of?**
Ávila is a member of the "Ciudades Patrimonio de la Humanidad de España" (Cities of Spanish World Heritage) and the "Red de Juderías de España" (Network of Jewish Quarters of Spain). It is also recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO under specific criteria.

**Who are the notable political figures associated with the city's leadership?**
The current mayor is Jesús Manuel Sánchez Cabrera, who took office in June 2019. Previous heads of government include Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra (1999–2002), Ángel Acebes (1991–1995), and Pedro García Burguillo (1979–1983).

## Why It Matters
Ávila holds immense historical and cultural significance as one of the best-preserved medieval walled cities in Europe, serving as a tangible link to Spain's medieval past. Its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site underscores its global value, particularly regarding its architectural integrity and the "Extra-Muros Churches" that surround the historic core. The city is a pivotal center for the Discalced Carmelite order due to its association with Saint Teresa of Ávila, a major figure in Catholic history and literature. Furthermore, as the capital of its province, it acts as a crucial administrative and economic hub for the surrounding region of Castile and León, influencing local governance and cultural preservation efforts.

## Notable For
*   **UNESCO World Heritage Site:** The "Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches" is inscribed for criteria (iii) and (iv).
*   **Medieval Fortifications:** Famous for its intact medieval walls, a defining feature of the city's landscape.
*   **Saint Teresa of Ávila:** The birthplace and patronage of the renowned mystic and Doctor of the Church.
*   **First Cathedral in Spain:** The Ávila Cathedral, founded in 1172, is often cited as the first Gothic cathedral in Spain.
*   **Convent of Saint Joseph:** Founded in 1562, this was the first convent established by Saint Teresa.
*   **Yemas de Santa Teresa:** The exclusive origin of this traditional sweet made with egg yolk and sugar.
*   **Historical Protest Site:** The location of the "Farce of Ávila," a significant protest action by Castilian noblemen.
*   **High Altitude:** One of the highest provincial capitals in Spain, situated at 1,132 meters.
*   **Educational Hub:** Home to the Catholic University of Ávila, founded in 1996.
*   **Observatory:** Hosts the Observatorio de La Cañada, established in 2002.

## Body

### Administrative and Geographic Profile
Ávila is a municipality and city located in the Province of Ávila, within the autonomous community of Castile and León, Spain. It functions as the capital of the province and is classified as both a city and a municipality of Spain. The entity is situated in Europe, specifically in southwestern Europe, with coordinates at latitude 40.654347222222 and longitude -4.6962222222222. The municipality covers an area of 231.9 square kilometers and sits at an elevation of 1,132 meters above sea level. The terrain features a lowest point of 975 meters at the Adaja river and a highest point of 1,540 meters at Alto de Casasola. The Adaja river also flows located in or next to the municipality.

The administrative structure includes the municipality being part of the "Red de Juderías de España" and a member of "Ciudades Patrimonio de la Humanidad de España." It shares borders with numerous neighboring municipalities: Herradón de Pinares, Tornadizos de Ávila, Riofrío, Gemuño, El Fresno, La Colilla, Martiherrero, Bularros, Marlín, Monsalupe, Cardeñosa, Mingorría, San Esteban de los Patos, Tolbaños, Berrocalejo de Aragona, Mediana de Voltoya, Ojos-Albos, Santa María del Cubillo, and Navalperal de Pinares. The local dialing code is 920, and postal codes range from 05001 to 05006. The timezone is UTC+01:00 for standard time (Central European Time) and UTC+02:00 for daylight saving time (Central European Summer Time).

### Demographics and Population History
The population of Ávila has been tracked extensively through register office data. In 2025, the preferred population figure is 59,107. Historical data points include 58,111 in 2024, 57,741 in 2023, 57,730 in 2022, 57,949 in 2021, and 58,369 in 2020. The population peaked at 59,258 in 2013 and was 59,008 in 2011. Earlier records show 56,855 in 2009, 53,794 in 2007, and a low of 50,241 in 2002. The 2019 census specifically recorded 57,744 residents, comprising 27,474 males and 30,270 females. The demonym for residents is "abulense."

### Governance and Political Leadership
The head of government holds the office of Mayor of Ávila. The current mayor is Jesús Manuel Sánchez Cabrera, who began his term on June 15, 2019. Previous mayors include Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra (People's Party, 1999–2002), Dolores Ruiz-Ayúcar (People's Party, 1995–1999), and Ángel Acebes (People's Party, 1991–1995). Other historical leaders include José Luis Pujades Martín (People's Alliance, 1983) and Pedro García Burguillo (Union of the Democratic Centre, 1979–1983). The city is distinct from "Ávila City," which is a separate human settlement entity in the same province.

### Historical and Religious Significance
Ávila is deeply rooted in religious history, serving as the patronage of Saint Teresa of Ávila. The city is home to the Convent of Saint Joseph, founded in 1562, which was the first convent of Discalced Carmelite nuns. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Ávila was established around the year 400, making it one of the oldest dioceses in Spain. The city also houses the Ávila Cathedral, founded in 1172, and the Church of San Andrés. The "Farce of Ávila" was a notable protest action by Castilian noblemen that took place in the region. The city is also associated with the "Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches," a World Heritage site.

### Architecture and Landmarks
The city features several significant architectural landmarks. The Roman bridge of Ávila is a historic bridge located in the area. The San Vicente church is a prominent Spanish church in the city. The Cuatro Postes in Ávila is a well-known monument. The city also hosts the Observatorio de La Cañada, an organization established in 2002. The Brieva village is a village within the municipality of Ávila. The city is known for its winter views and nighttime panoramas, often captured in media.

### Economy, Culture, and Education
Ávila is the origin of "Yemas de Santa Teresa," a sweet made exclusively with egg yolk and sugar. The city is home to the Catholic University of Ávila, which was founded on August 24, 1996. The Real Ávila CF is the local football team, established in 1923. The city is part of the "Red de Juderías de España," highlighting its historical Jewish quarters. The "Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches" is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for its cultural criteria.

### International Relations and Media
Ávila has established twin administrative bodies with Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Rueil-Malmaison, Teramo, and Rhodes. The city is described by various encyclopedic sources, including the Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia, Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, The Nuttall Encyclopædia, and the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th and 9th editions). It has a presence in the Grove Art Online and is listed in the Joconde location database. The city has a dedicated category on Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, with content available in numerous languages including Spanish, English, French, German, and Chinese. The official website is https://www.avila.es/, and the city has a Google Play store ID for related apps.

### Technical Identifiers and Metadata
The entity is identified by multiple unique codes across different databases. The GND ID is 4079893-8, and the VIAF ID is 155931767. The INE code is 05019, and the PARES ID is 82009. The SNARC ID is HKT48, and the INSPIRE ID is ES.IGN.BDDAE.34070505019. The Freebase ID is /m/0233k8, and the Geonames ID is 6355632. The MusicBrainz area ID is 8d2f851d-53a8-4920-9c0b-e95cfe1fb832. The OpenStreetMap relation ID is 348905. The Library of Congress Authority ID is n80001323, and the WorldCat Entities ID is E39PBJk4yP9HVrKKQKmCcKK68C. The Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana ID is avila-0. The Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names ID is 7007090. The National Library of Israel J9U ID is 987007557357805171. The Wikidata description defines it as a "municipality in Castile and León, Spain."

## References

1. [El País. 1996](http://elpais.com/diario/1996/05/18/agenda/832370402_850215.html)
2. [El País. 2008](http://elpais.com/diario/2008/08/06/necrologicas/1217973601_850215.html)
3. [ABC Madrid. 1983](http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1983/09/28/024.html)
4. Nomenclátor Geográfico de Municipios y Entidades de Población (20240402 edition)
5. [Source](https://www.villederueil.fr/fr/villes-jumelles)
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. [Source](https://www.worlddata.info/europe/spain/timezones.php)
8. [Source](http://www.avilactiva.es/public/files/cats-att120-vila-ciudad-y-modelo.pdf)
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. Czech National Authority Database
11. MusicBrainz
12. Municipal Register of Spain 2013
13. Municipal Register of Spain 2012
14. Municipal Register of Spain 2011
15. Municipal Register of Spain 2010
16. Municipal Register of Spain 2009
17. Municipal Register of Spain 2008
18. Municipal Register of Spain 2007
19. Municipal Register of Spain 2006
20. Municipal Register of Spain 2005
21. Municipal Register of Spain 2004
22. Municipal Register of Spain 2003
23. Municipal Register of Spain 2002
24. Municipal Register of Spain 2001
25. Municipal Register of Spain 2014
26. Municipal Register of Spain 2015
27. Municipal Register of Spain 2016
28. Municipal Register of Spain 2017
29. Municipal Register of Spain 2018
30. [Cifras oficiales de población resultantes de la revisión del Padrón municipal a 1 de enero. National Statistics Institute](http://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/index.htm?padre=525)
31. Municipal Register of Spain 2019
32. Municipal Register of Spain 2020
33. Municipal Register of Spain of 2021
34. Municipal Register of Spain of 2022
35. Municipal Register of Spain of 2023
36. Municipal Register of Spain of 2024
37. Municipal Register of Spain of 2025
38. List of Municipalities and their Codes by Provinces as of January 1, 2019
39. [Source](https://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/es/index.htm?padre=517&capsel=525)
40. Quora
41. Límites municipales, provinciales y autonómicos
42. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)