What to do in Salamanca

What to do in Salamanca:

Square of Salamanca: It is one of the most beautiful and largest squares of Spain and one of the major monuments in baroque style in urban and mainland architecture.

Since it was built by Alberto de Churriguera, in 1775, the plaza mayor Salamanca has hosted the consistory, has been a market, a bull-ring, a concert hall, a theater, a gathering spot and a place where people just went for walk. Furthermore, the  Square Salamanca, has witnessed all political, socio-economic and religious changes occurred in Spain and Salamanca since that date.

See University Salamanca: The university of Salamanca is one of the most important buildings in Salamanca and the jewel of the Spanish Renaissance art. The construction of the University was commenced in 1218 by Alphonse IX of Leon and continued by Alphonse X the Wise who consolidated it as a reference as opposed to the universities of Oxford, Bolognia and Paris.

Convento de San Estaban: St Stephen´s which is part of the Dominicans Convent, is of Renaissance Style. Inside, it is worth mentioning the baroque pieces of art, as well as the altarpiece and the wall paintings. The mayor altarpiece is 27 meters high 1963 and one of the firs works Churriguera did in Salamanca.
The biggest part of this magnificent building was founded in the 16 th century, by the cardinal Fernando Alvarrez of Toledo, who was the second son of the Duke of Alba.

Bartolome de las casas, Domingo de Soto and Francisco de Vitoria lived in this convent and Christopher Columbus went to this place to look for support for his journey which would later come true after his interview with the catholic Monarchs.
This impressive monument of Salamanca, is formed by a temple of large dimensions, the lovely cloister of the Kings, Chirstopher Columbus cloister and many rooms where some Dominicans still live.

See Clerecia of Salamanca: The Clerecia is a baroque building erected as Seminary by the Jesuitas in the 18 th century. It now the center building of the pontificia University. The Clerecia is opposite the house of Shells and both together create an enormous architectonical setting formed by a church, two big houses that were originally the residence of students and religious people, the cloister which is another jewel of the baroque art in Salamanca and some other rooms.

To do in Cathedrals of Salamanca: The silhouettes of the Cathedrals are distinguishable from almost any point in the city of Salamanca and their interiors collect the life and history of the city and its citizens.  Both the old Cathedral and the new Cathedral make up another historical and artistic setting as tehy raise together side-by-side.
The new Cathedral, of Gothic, baroque and renaissance styles, was frown out of the old Cathedral. Its Romanesque style lies in perfect harmony with the new Cathedral and makes it appear even more dazzling.
The medieval Towers of the cathedral, known as leronimu, offer diferent views of the interior of both cathedrals. Also, the tower terraces show a magnificent panoramic view of the city.

The House of Shells of Salamanca: The house of Sells is one of the most well-known palaces in Salamanca and one of the best examples of Gothic civil architecture in Spain. It was built at the end of the 15th century-beginning of the 16th centruy by Rodrigo Arias Maldonado, who was very close to the Catholic Monarchs and a member of the order of Santiago. The shells are the main decoration used for the facade of the building and are also present in the heraldry of his wife. The shells symbolize Maldonado love for his wife and the order of Santiago to which he belonged.

Church Purisima Salamanca: The Purisima is a church sponsored by the Count of Monterrey, who granted the construction to the Italian artist Bartolomeo Picchiatti and Cosimo Fangazo. Works of the church began in 1635 an finished in 1685. The dome and the facade of the church dazzle on the outside. Inside, an impressive collection of baroque paintings stand out, the most significant work being the immaculate by Ribera.

Palace of Monterrey Salamanca: The palace has been property of the Duke of Alba since the 16th century. It was built by the count of Monterrey, designed by R.gil de Hontañon to house the Fonseca family in the 16th century. Only one of the four wings from the original project of this huge wings from the original project of this huge building was finished. Although unfinished, it has become a national architectonical model.

Convento de las dueñas Salamanca: The palace was founded in 1419 and later donated to be used as convent for the nuns of the order of Santo Domingo since it foundation, the nuns of this monastery of Saint Mary of the Dueñas or of the Consolacion devoted their life to prayer, study and work. Its cloister, apart from its aesthetic beauty, has witnessed a life or retirement and internal peace.

The Roman Bridge Salamanca: This is the entrance to the city Salamanca. The Roman Bridge is part of the silver route, the roman road which linked Emerita Augusta ( Merida) with Astorga. It waws built by the Romans to both cross the Tormes river and, at the same time, access the city of Salamanca. It was built by Trajan and dates back to the 1st century. It has got 26 arches, but of those only 15 remain from ther roman construction on the right side. From the roman bridge Salmanca, teher is a splendid view of the city over the Tormes river.

Museums of Salamanca: The diversity of museums shows the importance of Salamanca cultural life. It has a large number of museums and collections which are mainly found in the monumental city center, among them, Museo Art Deco art Nouveau, museum of the automobile history, museum of Salamanca and museum of trade and industry.

Green spaces Salamanca: Salamanca is a lovely city wander around its streets, near the river, in the Calixto an Melibea, Gardens and in this many parks some of them with an histroical background and other just built for leisure Park of the Jesuitas, park of Alamedilla, Salas bajas… which offer another fresher view of Salamanca.

Cultural City Salamanca: Salamanca has a wide offer of culturual events happening in centres such as the Liceo Theatre, the stage and Music art centre, the centre of  Domus arium, the Pabellon Multiusos Sanchez Parais an many other exhibition halls.