Plaza Mayor, Salamanca
Search results
Salamanca (Spanish pronunciation: [salaˈmaŋka]) is a municipality and city in Spain, capital of the province of the same name, located in the autonomous community of Castile and León. It is located in the Campo Charro comarca, in the Meseta Norte, in the northwestern quadrant of the Iberian Peninsula.
- Old Cathedral. Salamanca’s a city with two cathedrals attached to one another. The oldest of the two was erected between the 1100s and 1200s, and has an enchanting combination of romanesque and gothic styles, each reflecting the change in fashion as the cathedral was being built.
- New Cathedral. The old cathedral’s newer partner was completed in the 1700s and also has a mixture of styles. By the time it was built the baroque style was popular, but Salamanca’s authorities wanted the new building to harmonise with the old so they chose a gothic appearance, a long time after this had become outmoded.
- House of Shells. Home to the city’s library is this wonderful Gothic palace, that encapsulates the Spanish plateresque style. Plateresque buildings have extremely decorative facades designed to resemble silverware, with nods to Moorish, Lombard and Florentine styles.
- Old-town. As you step through the centuries-old stone streets of the Casco Historico you’ll be taken aback by the volume of renaissance, gothic, baroque and Moorish-style buildings, most looking as good as new.
You can start exploring at the two cathedrals in Salamanca (yes, two!, the New and the Old). On the Puerta de Ramos of the New Cathedral, you need to find the figure of an astronaut carved from stone and then go up one of its towers on the leronimus tour, to experience unbeatable views.
May 20, 2024 · Located in the north-western part of Spain, Salamanca is a city of exceptional beauty and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. We have put together the top 10 activities and sights in this dazzling Spanish gem.
- Plaza Mayor. Built between 1729 and 1755, Salamanca's exceptional grand square is widely considered to be Spain's most beautiful central plaza.
- Catedral Nueva. The tower of this late-Gothic cathedral lords over the city centre, its compelling Churrigueresque (an ornate style of baroque architecture) dome visible…
- Catedral Vieja. The Catedral Nueva's largely Romanesque predecessor, the Catedral Vieja is adorned with an exquisite 15th-century altarpiece, one of the finest outside…
- Universidad Civil. Founded initially as the Estudio General in 1218, the university reached the peak of its renown in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Known as Spain’s "golden city," Salamanca is rich in architectural, religious and gastronomic culture. Marvel at the La Casa de las Conchas (house of shells) and the 18th century Plaza Mayor, then pore over the fresh produce of the Central Market.
Things to Do in Salamanca, Spain: See Tripadvisor's 139,801 traveler reviews and photos of Salamanca tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in June. We have reviews of the best places to see in Salamanca. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.
