Salamanca

Salamanca, a city in western Spain, is known for its sandstone buildings and historic university. As you walk through its center, you'll see the Plaza Mayor, the twin cathedrals, and the Casa de las Conchas. The city has a large student population, creating an active atmosphere, and you can try local dishes in its many restaurants.

Plaza Mayor: The Center of Salamanca

The Plaza Mayor is the main square of Salamanca's social life. This large square, finished in the mid-18th century, is surrounded by Baroque buildings with detailed facades. During the day, you can relax at one of the outdoor cafes and watch city life unfold. In the evening, the square fills with locals and students meeting for drinks and conversation.

University of Salamanca: A Historic Institution

Founded in 1218, the University of Salamanca is one of Europe's oldest and still educates students from around the world. You can visit the historic buildings, including the Fachada Rica with its detailed carvings. Many visitors try to find the small frog carved among the decorations - a tradition says it brings good luck to students who spot it without help.

Salamanca's Cathedrals: Side by Side

Salamanca has two cathedrals next to each other. The Old Cathedral, built in the 12th century, is an example of Romanesque architecture. Beside it is the larger New Cathedral, built between the 16th and 18th centuries, which mixes Gothic and Baroque styles. You can climb the cathedral towers for wide views of the city and surrounding area.

Casa de las Conchas: A Shell-Decorated Palace

This 15th-century palace is covered with hundreds of scallop shells on its facade. The shells are the symbol of the Order of Santiago, which the original owner belonged to. Now, the building is a public library. Inside, you can see the courtyard with Gothic arches and Renaissance columns.

Roman Bridge and River Tormes

The Roman Bridge has crossed the River Tormes since the 1st century AD. While only 15 of the original arches are from Roman times, it's still an impressive structure. From the bridge, you can see the city skyline, which looks especially nice at sunset when the sandstone buildings glow in the fading light.

Salamanca's Local Food

Salamanca's restaurants serve traditional Castilian food with some modern twists. You can try local dishes like hornazo, a meat-filled pastry, or chanfaina, a rice dish with pork. Calle Van Dyck is known for its tapas bars, where you can taste a variety of small plates. Don't miss the jamón ibérico from nearby Guijuelo, which is considered some of the best in Spain.

Casa Lis: Art Nouveau and Art Deco Museum

The Casa Lis museum, in an Art Nouveau building, shows a large collection of decorative arts from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum's stained-glass facade is lit up at night. Inside, you'll see jewelry, porcelain, furniture, and paintings from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods.

Convento de San Esteban: A Dominican Monastery

This Dominican monastery has a detailed Plateresque facade that reflects Salamanca's religious history. You can explore the cloisters, see the altarpiece in the church, and visit the sacristy with its painted ceiling. The convent played a role in Spain's early colonization of the Americas - Christopher Columbus presented his plans for his second voyage here.

Salamanca at Night

As a university town, Salamanca has active nightlife. The area around Gran Vía is popular with students and has many bars and clubs. For a calmer evening, go to the Plaza Mayor, where you can have a drink at one of the terrace cafes and watch street performers and locals socializing.

Day Trips from Salamanca

While there's plenty to do in Salamanca, you can also use it as a base to explore the surrounding region. You might visit the medieval walled town of Ciudad Rodrigo, or explore the Sierra de Francia mountain range for hiking and small villages. If you're interested in wine, you could tour the nearby Toro wine region, known for its full-bodied red wines.