Alba de Tormes

Alba de Tormes is located less than 20 km from Salamanca. The town centre, which has been declared Historical Artistic Site, is set on a hill that dominates the fertile plain on the banks of the Tormes.

This is a town full of history. Apart from being very well-know thanks to the fact that it houses the relics of Santa Teresa, who died in this town in 1582, it is the cradle of one of the most important nobility houses in Spain: The House of Alba.

Due to the presence of such an important nobility house, the town was visited by the crème de la crème of the Spanish culture: Juan del Encina, Garilaso de la Vega or Lope de Vega went to Alba de Tormes.

The deepest trace that Santa Teresa left in the town can be found in the Convent of the Madres Carmelitas, founded in 1571; it has Renaissance and Neoclassical elements and it is the place where Santa Teresa´s relics are kept. Thousands of pilgrims come here every year to be able to see her tomb and pray in front of her incorrupt heart and arm. The annex building, the Carmelitano Camus Museum is also worth a visit, because it houses a rich artistic spiritual heritage, including Santa Teresa´s relics.

It is advisable to start your visit in the castle of the House of Alba. Then, go down to the centre of the villa. On your way to the centre, you will be able to find some convents – La Anunciacion, where Santa Teresa´s corpse rests -, churches, -San Juan or Santiago – and other places which should be discovered calmly.

Walk towards the Main Square, main axe of the route and witness of the daily routine of the inhabitants of the villa. Then, go to El Espolon park, an amazing vantage point which reveals the origin of the villa and the strategic position it has due to the river Tormes.

This is a walk full of intriguing stories, easy to follow, and the visitor can join it at any point of the itinerary.