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Church · Ávila, Castela e Leão
Basílica de San Vicente
Large Romanesque church outside the wall, begun around 1120 on the site where, by tradition, the siblings Vicente, Sabina and Cristeta were martyred. It houses the sculpted cenotaph of the saints.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Basílica de San Vicente
The basilica lies outside the wall, in front of the Puerta de San Vicente, and is the largest church in Ávila after the Cathedral. According to tradition, the siblings Vicente, Sabina and Cristeta were martyred and buried there in 306 during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. A rock in the crypt is said to be the place where their bodies were placed.
Construction began around 1120. Between 1150 and 1170 the towers and the narthex at the entrance were raised, and the works were completed at the start of the 14th century, with help from Kings Alfonso X and Sancho IV. The plan is a Latin cross, with three naves and three apses over a crypt. The south-side cloistered gallery dates from the 15th century.
The highlight is the cenotaph of the saints, from the mid-12th century and attributed to Fruchel. The reliefs depict the arrest, condemnation and martyrdom of the three siblings. It is a funerary monument without the bodies: the relics are kept in urns at the high altar. The west portal, richly carved, is also among the masterpieces of Spanish Romanesque.
In the crypt is the Virgen de la Soterraña, a 15th-century image venerated by Santa Teresa. San Vicente was the first Spanish building restored on historical principles, between the mid-19th and early 20th centuries.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 45 minutes to 1 hour, including the crypt.
Best time
In the morning or early afternoon, when the light illuminates the west portal and the south-side gallery. As it is an active place of worship, visiting hours change on days of services: check before you go.
How to get there
It is located on the Plaza de San Vicente, just outside the Puerta de San Vicente, a 5-minute walk from the Cathedral.
Tip
Be sure to descend to the crypt and look closely at the reliefs of the cenotaph. Outside, the Puerta de San Vicente, with two towers joined by an arch, is one of the most imposing gates of the wall.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Basílica de San Vicente
Who were the saints of San Vicente?
The siblings Vicente, Sabina and Cristeta, who according to tradition were martyred in Ávila in the year 306 during the Diocletian persecution.
What is the cenotaph of San Vicente?
It is a funerary monument carved in the mid‑12th century, with reliefs that recount the martyrdom of the three siblings. It does not contain the bodies, which are in urns on the main altar.
Is it worth going down to the crypt?
Yes. In the crypt is the Virgen de la Soterraña, an image venerated by Santa Teresa, and the rock that tradition associates with the burial of the saints.