Conference Location

The conference will be held in Avila, Spain, at Palácio de Los Velada hotel, Plaza De La Catedral, 10.

Avila is World heritage.Two things distinguish Avila: its eleventh-century walls, two perfectly preserved kilometres of which surround the old town, and the mystic writer Santa Teresa, who was born here and whose shrines are a major focus of religious pilgrimage. Set on a high plain, with the peaks of the Sierra de Gredos behind, the town is quite a sight, especially if you time it right and approach with the evening sun highlighting the golden tone of the walls and the details of the 88 towers. 

The walls were ordered by Alfonso VI, after his capture of the city from the Moors in 1090; they took his Muslim prisoners nine years to construct. At closer quarters, they prove a bit of a facade, as the old city within is sparsely populated and a little dishevelled, most of modern life having moved into the new developments outside the fortifications. However, the fine Romanesque churches dotted in and about the old city, plus good walks around the walls, make the town an excellent night's stopover, either combined with El Escorial, or en route to Salamanca.

More detailas about Avila history can be found here.

How to get to Avila

Avila is situated 115 Km from Madrid. The best way to get to Avila is to get a plane to Madrid International Airport (BARAJAS) and then take a car, a bus or a train.

Avila by Train - From Madrid (Chamartin station) there are up to 24 trains a day to Avila; The train station is a fifteen-minute walk to the east of the old town, or a local bus into Plaza de la Victoria. On foot, follow the broad Avenida Jose Antonio to its end, by the large church of Santa Ana, and bear left up c/Duque de Alba to reach Plaza Santa Teresa. Train station details:

Dirección: Paseo de la Estación, 40
C. Postal: 05002
Localidad: Ávila (Ávila)
Teléfono: 902240202

Avila by Bus - From Madrid, buses are less frequent than trains (eight on weekdays, three at weekends). Buses use a terminal on the Avenida de Madrid, a little closer in: walking from here, cross the small park opposite, then turn right up c/Duque de Alba, or take a local bus to Plaza de la Victoria near the cathedral. Driving , follow signs for the walls (murallas ) or the parador and you should be able to park just outside the old town. Bus station details:

Dirección: Av. de Madrid, 2
C. Postal: 05002
Localidad: Ávila (Ávila)
Teléfono: 920220154 

Avila by Car - From Madrid via the A-6, taking the Villacastín exit and then following the 501 national road. Segovia is 67 km to the east on the national 110, and Cáceres 229 km to the west. The 501 also connects Ávila with Salamanca (97 km away), and the 403 with Toledo (137 km away).