Way of the Language - Salamanca
- Route Data
- Ascent slope
- 798 m.
- Previous
- Following
The first grammar written for a modern European language is linked to Salamanca. Antonio de Nebrija, professor at the university in Salamanca, wrote ‘Gramática de la Lengua Castellana’ in 1492. This laid the basis for the Spanish language.
The University of Salamanca became involved in the process of spreading the Spanish language throughout the 14th and 15th century and to this present day. Founded by Alfonso IX in 1218, the university has maintained its principles of spreading the Spanish language and promoting Humanities. The university, the oldest in Spain, has become the focal point for culture throughout the 800 years that it has existed.
The Plaza Mayor, where Miguel de Unamuno and Luis de Góngora could often be seen strolling, is the starting point for tourists about to undertake a visit packed with adventure. Both of these illustrious literary figures, whose forerunners were Fray Luis de León and San Juan de la Cruz, have left their mark on the city. The former’s famous sentence, "As we were saying yesterday" echoes through the lecture rooms at the university.
Reference to content
What to see?
Convent of San Juan de la CruzMore informationThe Convent of San Juan de la Cruz was completed in 1692. It is the first church and the first convent in the world dedicated to this saint and its entire structure and distribution, in convent and church,...
Tower of the ClaveroMore informationIts construction dates from the mid XV century, attributed to the key-holder of the order of Alcantara, M. Diego de Anaya and to M. Francisco de Sotomayor, whose shields are on the outside.It has a square...
Cathedrals of SalamancaMore informationSalamanca boasts two cathedrals that stand side by side. The New Cathedral is built in the Gothic style while the Old Cathedral offers visitors the chance to admire a truly magnificent Romanesque monument.
Church of the Purisima (Inmaculada de Ribera)More informationStarted in 1636, it follows the artistic norms of the Neapolitan Baroque. Particularly noteworthy is the main altarpiece, which contains a painting of the Inmaculada by José Ribera.It has five beautiful...
Church of San BenitoMore informationFounded in 1104, this church occupies a privileged place in the history of Salamanca because one of the factions in which the city was divided during the low Middle Ages was named after it.The present...
Church of San CristobalMore informationRomanesque church built in the 12th century, retouched in several different styles. On March 25th, 2000, it received the Europa Nostra Award, which acknowledges the conservation and recovery of the architectonic...
Church of San Juan de BarbalosMore informationFounded in the mid 12th century by the Orden del Hospital (Order of the Hospice). On the outside it preserves a Romanesque apse with three narrow windows with columns and supports sculpted in the entrance...
Church of San JulianMore informationThe church is devoted to San Julián and Santa Basilisa. Construction is thought to have begun in the 12th century. The Romanesque north front, with its sculpted archivolts, plus some beam ends and an animal...
Church of San MarcosMore informationThis church has a circular ground plan and a defensive structure. Found in 1178, it contains a sculpture of the virgin dating from the 16th century.Three-nave church with semicircular apses. The pointed...
