Plaza Mayor
The
grand Plaza Mayor in Salamanca is one of the best plazas in Spain.
It is a focal point of the city where all the action takes place.
In the evenings the square is bustling with people and is a great
place for family and friends to meet. There are several cafes,
restaurants, bars, discos and other forms of entertainment.
University of Salamanca
It
is one of the oldest universities in the world founded by King
Alfonso IX in 1243. Its facade is of the unique Spanish Plateresque
style similar to the Patio de Escuelas. The interior of the University
is impressive with its beautiful staircases and chapel. The university
library has a collection of over 160,000 volumes. and well preserved.
with beautifully constructed staircases, library, and chapel.
The classroom is preserved just as it was in the 16th century
where Fray Luis de Leon a famous poet and professor gave his lectures.
Patio de las Escuelas Menores
Patio
de Escuelas was constructed in the 15th century as a school. The
facade is of Spanish Plateresque style. The baroque patio with
angled archways and balustrades was designed by J. García
de Quiñones. The building houses the University Museum.
Some of Salamanca's finest artifacts such as painted wooden sculptures
can be found here. The extensive ceiling of the library of the
University of Salamanca, depicted the constellations and signs
of the zodiac was painted by Fernando Gallego in the 15th century.
Puente Romano
El
Puente Romano, the Roman bridge over the river Tormes, is one
of the best conserved in all Spain. It has 15 arches that were
damaged by floods and reconstructed in the 17th century. The roman
Emperor Vespasiano built it as the silver route, a part of a main
Roman road passing through Salamanca.
Cathedral Vieja y Nueva
The
New Cathedral in Salamanca is an outstanding example of Gothic
architecture. It is known for height and spiritual grandeur along
with its sculpted doorways and ornate interior. It took several
centuries to complete which explains the mixture of styles. Joaquín
de Churriguera, Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón and Juan
de Álava were some of the architects that contributed
to its design and construction.
Casa de las Conchas
This
house of shells is a major landmark in Salamanca. The house influenced
by gothic, italian and moorish architecture and is decorated with
over 300 sandstone shells and exquisite iron work. The building
is currently being used as a public library, the top floor is
used as a gallery for local and international artists and exhibitions.
Convento de San Esteban
The
convent of saint Esteban has produced a number of famous theologians
over the centuries. Construction began in the 16th century
and took almost a century to complete resulting in a mix of gothic
and baroque styles. It has a carved facade, in the fashion of
a huge reredos, while its interior preserves a reredos by Churriguera
and paintings by Claudio Coello. The convent
includes the church, the side door, the connected ministerial
buildings and three cloisters.
|