Basílica de San Vicente

The finest Romanesque church in Castile, just outside the city's north gate

The Basílica de San Vicente is a large Romanesque church immediately outside Ávila's north wall, near the Puerta de San Vicente. Built from the 12th century onwards, it is considered the finest example of Romanesque architecture in Castile and one of the most important in Spain. The exterior porch, with its carved reliefs, and the interior — three naves of unadorned Romanesque strength — are equally impressive.

The crypt beneath the crossing contains the tomb of the three martyrs (Vicente, Sabina, and Cristeta) in an ornate Romanesque sarcophagus that is the most artistically significant object in the building. The tomb carving is detailed and well-preserved. The church predates the city walls and the original settlement on this site is ancient. An entry fee is charged; the combined ticket with other Ávila monuments is available from the tourist office.

things to do sight church
A story
San Vicente was built over the martyrdom site of three Christian siblings — Vicente, Sabina, and Cristeta — executed by the Romans around 306 AD. The builders were still working on it in the 12th century when the Moors temporarily reoccupied the city. The construction shows clearly in the stones: some sections use Roman sarcophagi embedded in the walls, reused as building material.