Portal de Turismo de Castilla y León

Going up Prior Street we arrive at the Plaza Mayor , one of the most monumental in Europe, built between 1729 and 1755 based on a project by Alberto de Churriguera to house the market and public festivals.

It has three floors with simple Baroque decoration and iron balconies over arcades supported by semicircular arches. The most prominent feature is the façade of the Town Hall, from which the city's main shopping streets, Toro and Zamora, lead off.

Leaving the Plaza Mayor through the Plaza del Corrillo we pass by the Romanesque church of San Martín , and continuing along Rúa Mayor we arrive at the Casa de las Conchas, the most representative civil building of the late 15th century, which is currently used as a public library.

Opposite is the magnificent church of La Clerecía , as well as the building of the Society of Jesus, begun in 1617 at the initiative of Philip III and Margaret of Austria, in the Baroque style, and which today forms part of the Pontifical University .

Continuing along Rúa Antigua and Calle Libreros, we find the University , one of the oldest in Europe, founded in 1218. Its façade, a masterpiece of Plateresque architecture, was conceived as a grandiose altarpiece carved in Villamayor stone, reminiscent of goldsmithing. The interior houses the former lecture halls, as well as the auditorium, the chapel, the monumental staircase, and the library, home to priceless manuscripts and incunabula.

Opposite the façade, in the Patio de Escuelas, we see the statue of Fray Luis de León and in the background the doorway of Las Escuelas Menores , where pre-university studies were held until 1867. It features a beautiful courtyard with mixed-linear arches, one of whose rooms houses the Sky of Salamanca , a superb fresco by Fernando Gallego, depicting the zodiac and the universality of wisdom.

Turning the corner onto Calderón de la Barca Street, we reach the New Cathedral, begun by Gil de Hontañón at the beginning of the 16th century in the late Gothic style and completed in 1733 in the Baroque style. Through a chapel at the foot of the New Cathedral, we pass to the Old Cathedral , in the late Romanesque style, whose construction began in the 12th century. The interior features an altarpiece by Nicolás Florentino.

Another interesting visit is the climb to the towers of the Cathedrals where the Ierónimus exhibition has been installed, which gives access to the upper choir of the Old Cathedral, the interior balcony of the New Cathedral, the exterior terraces and several interior rooms of the truncated tower and the bell tower.

Another must-see monument is the Convent of San Esteban , whose portico is one of the most beautiful of the Spanish Renaissance. The beautiful convent cloister combines Gothic lines with Renaissance decorations, and inside the church you can admire a magnificent Churrigueresque altarpiece.

We then arrive at the Roman Bridge , which forms part of the Vía de la Plata roadway. It was built during the reign of Emperor Trajan, and the 15 arches closest to the city remain from that period. Next to the bridge, the Iberian boar, alluded to in "El Lazarillo de Tormes," stands out, and is part of the city's coat of arms. Nearby is the Museum of Automotive History , which houses Demetrio Gómez Planche's collection of vintage vehicles.

If we go up to the Puerta del Río and turn right, we'll see the Civil War Archive , where you can visit a recreation of a Masonic lodge with objects seized from the Freemasonry and exhibitions about the war. Right next door is Casa Lis , a modernist mansion that houses the Art Nouveau and Art Deco Museum , which displays the decorative arts collection of the collector Ramos Andrade.

Leisure in Salamanca

SHOPPING: Zamora and Toro Streets , which lead off the Plaza Mayor, offer a wide variety of clothing and footwear stores, perfumeries, and several banks. Rúa Mayor is primarily home to souvenir shops.

TAPAS AND RESTAURANTS: Around the Plaza Mayor and the Market Square are some of the most renowned restaurants and tapas bars, which present specialties of our traditional cuisine: "meneás" potatoes, fried eggs with farinato, chanfaina (on Sundays and holidays), morucha meat, tostón… and much more. Another popular area for snacks is Van Dyck Street, where bars and inns will delight our palates with a variety of specialties.

AFTERNOON AND NIGHTLIFE: The terraces in Plaza de San Julián have a great atmosphere in the evenings, and the party can continue along Prior and Bordadores streets. At the end of the night, people gather on Gran Vía , where there are bars and pubs with unusual decorations.

Curiosities

Did you know that there's a hidden frog on the university facade? Student tradition encourages students to locate the famous frog sitting on the skull among the profuse ornamentation, which is said to bring good academic luck to those who find it without help. In fact, in medieval times, the frog was a symbol of lust and a warning to students to steer clear of sin and continue on the path of virtue and knowledge that is achieved through university.

The charro button is a piece of jewelry belonging to the traditional folklore of Salamanca. It is usually made of silver, although it can also be found in gold or silver-plated. It has a flattened round shape, always with the same beaded motif on the front, and is one of the main pieces of the well-known "charro filigree." Its origin lies in the button worn on the men's charro suit, as well as the charro cape.

Corners

Surrounding the cathedral along Vicente Ferrer Street we find one of the most welcoming corners of Salamanca: the Patio Chico , where we can see the semicircular apses and the famous Torre del Gallo of the Old Cathedral, decorated with scales and crowned by a weather vane with a rooster, a symbol of vigilance.

At the end of Arcediano Street is the Huerto de Calisto y Melibea (Huerto de Calisto and Melibea) , so named because, according to tradition, Fernando de Rojas may have been inspired by this house to recreate that of the writer Melibea, from whose garden she threw herself down the wall, ending her life. It's a romantic little park where you can relax after visiting the monuments.

In the same area is the Cave of Salamanca , which is not actually a cave, but the ruins of the old church and crypt of San Cebrián, where legend has it that its sacristan, who was the devil himself, gave classes in necromancy and witchcraft to seven students of the University in exchange for keeping the soul of one of them as payment.

More information about the city of Salamanca

Routes through the province of Salamanca

SIERRA DE FRANCIA

South of Salamanca lies the Sierra de Francia-Batuecas Natural Park , covered in oak and chestnut forests. Several circular hiking trails punctuated by artistic interventions, known as "Art Trails," allow you to explore this natural heritage. From Peña de Francia , the highest peak in this mountain range, you can enjoy privileged views of this area.

The area is home to some highly interesting historic sites, such as La Alberca, Mogarraz, Sequeros, Miranda del Castañar, Villanueva del Conde , and San Martín del Castañar . These picturesque villages have preserved their distinctive traditional architecture, with narrow, cobbled streets giving them an almost medieval feel.

As for gastronomy, Iberian products and roasts stand out, as well as cherries (Guaranteed Mark), all accompanied by Sierra de Salamanca DOP wine.

CIUDAD RODRIGO AND THE BORDER

Ciudad Rodrigo is a fortified town, whose walls are suitable for walking along the patrol path, affording beautiful views of the natural defenses of the Águeda River. At the highest point stands the 14th-century castle of Henry II of Trastámara, currently a Parador de Turismo. Its cathedral, the Águila palace, the main square, and the chamber pot museum are among its many attractions.

17 km from Ciudad Rodrigo, we can visit the Siega Verde archaeological site, declared a World Heritage Site in 2010 for being one of the most important open-air Paleolithic art sites in all of Europe.

A delicacy that we can taste in this region is farinato , a Guarantee Mark sausage made from butter, bread, flour, paprika and other ingredients.

ARRIBES DEL DUERO

In the north of the province, the Douro River acts as a natural border with Portugal, creating a deep canyon that creates the magnificent landscapes of the Arribes del Duero Natural Park . Its Mediterranean vegetation and immense variety of fauna and birds are notable, with rare specimens such as the black stork and the golden eagle.

We can explore this area on foot, visiting places such as Pozo de los Humos , an impressive waterfall located between Pereña and Masueco, sailing along the Duero on the river cruises of Aldeadávila de la Ribera and Vilvestre, or by bicycle, as there are various mountain bike routes.

And to complete this exciting day, what better way to enjoy it than with Arribes DOP wines accompanied by some delicious Arribes cheeses .

BÉJAR MOUNTAINS

South of Salamanca is Béjar , nestled in the mountain range of the same name. There you can visit the Ducal Palace, in one of whose towers there is a Camera Obscura that allows for a special tour of the town, or its Renaissance villa, "El Bosque." A few kilometers away is Candelario , a beautiful mountain village notable for its popular architecture, with its old batten doors and watering cans in its streets.

Continuing north along the Vía de la Plata, who can resist stopping in Guijuelo to taste a delicious ham with a recognized DO, as well as visit the sausage factories.

Curiosities of the province

Walking through the streets of La Alberca in the late afternoon, one may discover the sound of bells ringing throughout the town, accompanied by a repetitive prayer. This metallic sound transports visitors back to medieval times. This is the "Girl of the Souls," a character played by 12 women each year, one each month, to encourage residents to pray for the souls in purgatory, since, as they say, "those in heaven don't need it and those in hell don't deserve it."

More information about the province of Salamanca