ISBN 9966-08-680-3; Pages 16: Publication 2012

Avila, the birthplace of the saint, stands at the top of a hill, poised as if to dive into the waters of Adaja River. As well as having stony soil, it is surrounded by a heavy wall of rock which makes it look like a mediaeval fortress. This rugged strength, no doubt, does influence the character of its inhabitants. They are strong, brave, easily magnetized by high ideals and daring adventures. In fact, during the warlike middle ages, this small city of inland Spain, lay in the path of much of the fighting. It was captured seven times by the Moors, and retaken seven times by its valiant soldiers. Thus Spain became at one time the greatest power on earth, ruling the largest empire the world had yet seen. Today, pilgrims from many places come to its gates, not for the sake of those heroic deeds of the distant past, not for the enduring memory of a great woman and saint, St Teresa of Avila who is identified with the place in which she was born and lived.