Summary:
Salamanca is a city that embodies both youth and antiquity: vibrant, due to the multitude of students attending its esteemed university, which has served as a center of academia for centuries; and historic, given the abundance of remarkable structures that populate the skyline.
Consider beginning your exploration with a private tour led by a local guide, providing invaluable insights into the city’s rich heritage, which you can arrange here.
The 15th and 16th-century palaces, university buildings, and churches are constructed from Villamayor stone, a light beige sandstone that appears to glow golden during the sunset. This characteristic has earned Salamanca the moniker “La Dorada,” meaning the Golden City.
Let’s examine the top attractions in Salamanca:
1. Old Cathedral
Salamanca is home to two interconnected cathedrals.
The older of the two dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries and showcases a captivating blend of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles, each reflecting the evolving aesthetics as the cathedral was constructed.
Among the numerous attractions within, the 15th-century altarpiece is particularly striking, featuring 53 painted panels that depict the life of the Virgin Mary and Jesus.
The chapels house the solemn tombs of medieval bishops and nobility.
2. New Cathedral
The more recent cathedral was completed in the 18th century and also exhibits various styles.
By the time of its construction, Baroque architecture was in vogue; however, the authorities of Salamanca opted for a Gothic design to ensure compatibility with the older structure, despite it being out of fashion by that time.
The cathedral sustained significant damage during the Lisbon Earthquake in 1755; consequently, locals commemorate the event by participating in the Maruquelo on October 31st each year, where they ascend to the tower’s dome, performing with flutes and drums.
Inside, visitors can appreciate the stunning Baroque retroquire and Renaissance paintings of John the Baptist and the Virgin Mary.
3. House of Shells
This splendid Gothic palace, which houses the city’s library, exemplifies the Spanish Plateresque style.
Plateresque architecture features highly decorative facades that resemble elaborate silverware, incorporating elements from Moorish, Lombard, and Florentine styles.
The House of Shells is adorned with scallop shells on its outer walls, making it a unique architectural gem.
In addition, reliefs depicting various coats of arms from the noble Pimentel and Maldonado families, which became united through marriage during the structure’s construction, can be found here.
The interior boasts a beautiful courtyard, and the coffered wooden ceilings on the second floor exhibit a hexagonal design.
4. Old-town
As you wander through the ancient stone streets of the Casco Historico, you will be astonished by the array of Renaissance, Gothic, Baroque, and Moorish-style buildings, many of which appear exceptionally well-preserved.
The area features over 20 palaces, most dating back to the Spanish Golden Age, with many open to the public for exhibitions.
For families visiting the area, a fun way to explore is by hopping on the tourist train, which departs from Plaza de Anaya every thirty minutes during the summer months.
5. University of Salamanca
This institution, founded in 1134, is recognized as the oldest university in Spain and the fourth oldest in Europe.
Once among the most esteemed universities globally, it currently acts as a significant attraction for individuals interested in learning the Spanish language.
Visitors can explore some of the earliest buildings in the square, Patio de las Escuelas, featuring exquisite Plateresque designs steeped in history.
The main façade contains a cleverly concealed sculpture of a frog perched atop a skull, which is considered a good luck symbol if found unaided.
The square also hosts a statue of Fray Luis de León, a prominent figure in Spanish Renaissance literature and an influential alumnus of the university.
6. Plaza Mayor
UNESCO has given special recognition to the impressive main square of Salamanca.
Constructed in the mid-18th century, it possesses a Baroque design.
The ground level features 88 arches forming an arcade that encapsulates the square, interrupted only by entranceways.
Above each pillar is a medallion depicting a notable figure from Salamanca’s illustrious past.
The fortunate residents living on the Plaza Mayor enjoy 247 balconies with spectacular views.
Interestingly, Plaza Mayor does not conform to a perfect square shape; each of its four sides varies slightly in length.
7. Casa Lis
Rising above Salamanca’s southern wall is a 19th-century mansion constructed for the affluent local businessman D. Miguel de Lis around the turn of the 20th century.
The structure reflects modern aesthetic preferences, particularly when approached from the river, revealing a beautiful Art Nouveau iron and glass facade complemented by stained glass windows.
The interior houses a museum dedicated to early-20th-century design, showcasing a variety of Art Nouveau and Art Deco exhibits, including glassware, bronze pieces, and figurines.
8. Palacio de la Salina
When admiring the medallions in the courtyard, keep an eye out for a Renaissance portrayal of Cleopatra.
Her identity is easily recognizable due to the iconic asp resting on her breast.
This courtyard is a breathtaking feature of the 16th-century palace, where a gallery is supported by intricately carved corbels, and an ornate Renaissance clock maintains the passage of time.
The palace was designed by Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón, an esteemed architect from the Spanish Golden Age, who was active in both Segovia and Salamanca.
9. St. Stephen’s Convent
During your tour of this 16th-century Dominican monastery, you will be awed by the building’s lavishness and intricacy.
For architecture enthusiasts, the stone staircase in the main reredos, cantilevered by the walls, is particularly captivating.
This impressive work is attributed to Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón, the same architect responsible for the Palacio de la Salina.
As you step outside, take a moment to visit the Cloister of the Kings and see if you can spot storks nesting above.
10. La Clerecía
The three-part facade of this grand church and ecclesiastical college towers over the House of Shells, located on the opposite side of Calle de la Compañía.
This Baroque structure, constructed in the early 1700s, was commissioned by Margarita of Austria, the wife of King Philip III.
Access to the interior is available only through guided tours of the Pontifical University, which has occupied the building since the 1940s.
One of the highlights is scaling the Scala Coeli for magnificent views of the city from the transept between the two towers.
11. Feria de Salamanca
The city hosts an annual celebration in September known as the Fiesta de la Virgen de la Vega.
Festivities commence on the 8th and continue for a week filled with dancing, dining, and parades.
All of this is in honor of the Virgin Mary, who, according to legend, provided protection to the city during the War of the Spanish Succession in 1706. Subsequently, her statue was moved to Salamanca’s cathedral from the former Monastery of Vega.
The annual event features an extensive program of bullfighting, concerts, traditional costume dances, fireworks displays, and a medieval market to explore.
12. Roman Bridge
The Tormes River boasts numerous crossings, yet none are as captivating as this pedestrian bridge, which spans nearly 360 meters.
Originally constructed in the first century during Emperor Domitian’s reign, the present design was developed around the time of Trajan in the early second century.
Featuring 26 arches, 14 of which have remained unchanged since its original construction, the remaining arches were rebuilt following a devastating flood in the 1500s.
An old Iberian sculpture of a boar is located on the north side; this sculpture predates the bridge and was transported here in the 1300s.
13. Paddling on the Tormes River
Cross the Roman Bridge in summer, and on the Tormes River’s southern bank, you’ll find parkland featuring a playground for children and pathways that follow the riverbank.
To the left of the bridge, a small business offers canoe and paddle boat rentals by the hour.
Paddle boats can accommodate three individuals and are perfect for leisurely outings, often accompanied by picnics enjoyed while floating on the tranquil and shallow waters beneath the city’s bridges.
14. Jamón Ibérico and tapas
In a student-centric city such as Salamanca, tapas offer an economical dining option.
Almost every bar provides a complimentary tapa with a drink, featuring an assortment that ranges from manchego cheese to the traditional Spanish potato omelette (tortilla). Given the region’s pig-farming culture, chorizo, ham, and bacon are common tapas offerings.
Salamanca is one of the regions known for the black Iberian pig, which is typically allowed to roam freely and forage for herbs, roots, and acorns.
After their harvest, these pigs are cured for as long as two years, resulting in exquisitely delicate, melt-in-the-mouth slices of ham.
Although Jamón Ibérico commands a premium price, connoisseurs willingly pay for this gourmet delicacy.
15. Zamora
Your remarkable journey through western Spain’s majestic heritage does not need to conclude in Salamanca: situated just north of the city is Zamora, renowned for its ancient architectural treasures.
Zamora boasts an astonishing 24 Romanesque churches, representing the highest concentration found anywhere in Spain.
Many of these remarkable buildings date back to the 11th and 12th centuries, showcasing their resilience as they continue to stand in the 21st century.
This is perhaps unsurprising, as Zamora is well fortified, featuring a triple ring of defensive walls and a commanding castle that provides spectacular views of the city.
