Spain

Commemorative coin

2019

The old town of Avila and its churches outside the walls

(Part of the National series " UNESCO's World Natural and Cultural Heritage Sites ")

Official Journal of the European Union

The city of Avila has preserved the auterity and purity of the mediaeval style, surrounded by the most complete walls of Spain. The design reproduces at the centre a detail of the Avila wall. At the top side circular ascending the word ‘ESPANA’, the year of issuance ‘2019’ and the mint mark. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Additional information

Alfonso VI, King of León, Castile and Galicia from 1065-1109, ordered the construction of Ávila's city walls around 1092 as part of the "Reconquista" (Reconquest). A royal document from 1193 refers to the construction of the fortress and towers. The wall, which is completely preserved, has 88 defence towers and 9 town gates, has a perimeter of 2516 metres and encloses a rectangle of 33 hectares. Due to lack of space, some of the numerous Romanesque churches were built outside the town wall. In 1985, UNESCO declared the ensemble a World Heritage Site.

Edge lettering

Designer