Sites of Interest

Plaza Mayor

The grand Plaza Mayor in Salamanca is one of the best plazas in Spain. It is a focal point of the city where all the action takes place. In the evenings the square is bustling with people and is a great place for family and friends to meet. There are several cafes, restaurants, bars, discos and other forms of entertainment.

University of Salamanca

It is one of the oldest universities in the world founded by King Alfonso IX in 1243. Its facade is of the unique Spanish Plateresque style similar to the Patio de Escuelas. The interior of the University is impressive with its beautiful staircases and chapel. The university library has a collection of over 160,000 volumes. and well preserved. with beautifully constructed staircases, library, and chapel. The classroom is preserved just as it was in the 16th century where Fray Luis de Leon a famous poet and professor gave his lectures.

Patio de las Escuelas Menores

Patio de Escuelas was constructed in the 15th century as a school. The facade is of Spanish Plateresque style. The baroque patio with angled archways and balustrades was designed by J. García de Quiñones. The building houses the University Museum. Some of Salamanca's finest artifacts such as painted wooden sculptures can be found here. The extensive ceiling of the library of the University of Salamanca, depicted the constellations and signs of the zodiac was painted by Fernando Gallego in the 15th century.

Puente Romano

El Puente Romano, the Roman bridge over the river Tormes, is one of the best conserved in all Spain. It has 15 arches that were damaged by floods and reconstructed in the 17th century. The roman Emperor Vespasiano built it as the silver route, a part of a main Roman road passing through Salamanca.

Cathedral Vieja y Nueva

The New Cathedral in Salamanca is an outstanding example of Gothic architecture. It is known for height and spiritual grandeur along with its sculpted doorways and ornate interior. It took several centuries to complete which explains the mixture of styles. Joaquín de Churriguera, Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón and Juan de Álava were some of the architects that contributed to its design and construction.

Casa de las Conchas

This house of shells is a major landmark in Salamanca. The house influenced by gothic, italian and moorish architecture and is decorated with over 300 sandstone shells and exquisite iron work. The building is currently being used as a public library, the top floor is used as a gallery for local and international artists and exhibitions.

Convento de San Esteban

The convent of saint Esteban has produced a number of famous theologians over the centuries. Construction began in the 16th century and took almost a century to complete resulting in a mix of gothic and baroque styles. It has a carved facade, in the fashion of a huge reredos, while its interior preserves a reredos by Churriguera and paintings by Claudio Coello. The convent includes the church, the side door, the connected ministerial buildings and three cloisters.