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St. Teresa (1515-1582), a mystic and reformer was born in Ávila. She joined the Carmelite order at the age of 20, and after a severe illness and a series of visions, she reformed the order to form the Discalced Carmelites, with convents all over the country. The name "discalced" means "without shoes," but the members may at least wear sandals. After her death, a convent was built at the site of her birth. This convent contains a church, plus a chapel in the room in which she was born. Nearby is a museum containing items relating to the saint's life, including some of her writings, and to the Carmelites in general.