Ávila was described by writer José Martínez as the "most 16th-century town in Spain". The city old centre is located inside medieval walls and has 8 gates, 88 watchtowers and more than 2500 turrets. Ávila is one of the most beautiful fortified medieval towns in Europe with a strong religious history due to the to the cult of Santa Teresa de Ávila. Ávila is described has the Town of Stones and Saints.