Bonilla de la Sierra: A Journey through Avila's Medieval and Prehistoric History

The castle of Bonilla de la Sierra, of Romanesque origin (XII century), was reformed from the XIV century by bishops of Avila, whose coats of arms are still preserved. In 1384 it hosted an episcopal synod and in 1440 it served as a refuge for King Juan II. Bishops such as Alonso de Madrigal "El Tostado" resided in it, and it was also the temporary seat of the Episcopal Palace. With a square floor plan, its keep stands out, with brick vaults and Mudejar paintings. The castle was inhabited until the 19th century, when the disentailment separated it from the bishopric. Currently, it is private property in the process of restoration.

The Collegiate Church of San Martín de Tours, from the 15th century, surprises for its sober Gothic beauty and harmonic proportions. With a single nave, it has elegant walls decorated with pinnacles and large windows, as well as an imposing square tower. The interior features a choir raised on arches, side chapels, a large baroque altarpiece and interlaced ribbed vaults. The atrium houses an image of San Martín carved from a single piece of oak. Its pointed barrel vault, 16 meters wide and high, enhances the solemnity of the temple.

The Plaza Mayor of Bonilla de la Sierra, in Avila, is the heart of the historic center of the town. It is notable for its arcaded houses, an example of popular Castilian architecture, which give it a unique charm. In its center stands the imposing Collegiate Church of San Martín, testimony to the medieval past of the town. This space, which has been a meeting place for centuries, has been protected by the Spanish Historical Heritage Law since 1985, guaranteeing its conservation and its value as a cultural symbol of Castilla y León.

The urban wall of Bonilla de la Sierra, in the province of Avila, dates back to the 12th century. It acquired relevance in the 14th century, when the town passed into the hands of the bishops of Avila, reflecting their influence in the coats of arms carved in the stone. The main entrance is the Puerta de la Villa, a 15th century Gothic pointed arch that still welcomes visitors. Although today only scattered vestiges remain around the town center, the complex has been protected as an Asset of Cultural Interest since 1949 and was declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1983.