Avila (50.000 inhabitants), one of the jewels of medieval Spain, is situated on high hills northwest of Madrid, the city is the highest capital in Spain at 1,128 meters above sea level. Set on a high plain, with the peaks of the Sierra de Guadarrama and Sierra de Gredos beyond, on the right side of the river Adaja affluent of Duero river. Founded in 11th century in order protect the Spanish territories from the Arabs, Avila is famous for its nearly intact town-walls and also because it was native land of one of the greatest saints of the Catholicism, Saint Teresa of Ávila, and of Great Inquisitor Torquemada. The Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches is part since 1985 of the Unesco list of World Heritage Sites.