By Hanady Watfa
(Photo feature) MADRID, Dec 25 (KUNA) -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), registered the walls of Spanish city of Avila as a World's heritage site in 1985 for being the best preserved and finest medieval fortified walls in all of Spain and Europe.
The fortifications were built in the 12th century in the region of Castille and Leone, on top of smaller fortifications constructed by the Romans.
The walls circumference is two and a half kilometers, with an average width of three meters and an average height of 12 meters. The walls include 88 towers, three secret passageways and nine gates.
While the walls are considered a magnificent model of military architecture in the Middle Ages, it should be noted that part of their maintenance was completed by the hands of skilled Muslims.
The Muslims left tangible traces of Islamic art, most notably, the decorative outlines running along the tops of the towers, and the striking lined arches.
However, renovations over the past two centuries erased a lot of the beautiful details. (end) hnd.aai