Salamanca is one the most beautiful cities in Spain.

In 1.985 was declared World Heritage City by the UNESCO.

 ANCIENT HISTORY

By III century b.C., Aníbal besieges and takes the old city of “Helmántica” (Salamanca) and when Romans win Carthaginians, Salamanca begins to get some importance becoming a basic commercial place over the “Tormes” river, making of her one spot through the “Silver Way” (“La Vía de la Plata”).

Visigoths conquer the city. None information has been found on this period, except the city was the Episcopal See, since some bishops were sent to the “Concilios de Toledo”.

 

With the Arabian invasion of the Iberian Peninsula, Musa Ibn Nusair conquers the city, and during the High Middle Ages, the city and surrounding territories were left as land of nobody. The area becomes a deserted spot and, in the meantime, Christians kings try to defend these lands against Arabs. But, when Toledo is conquered by Alfonso VI on 1.085, Salamanca repopulates definitely and the Cathedral begins to be built. Some schools also begin to exist and they will be the origin of the University.

 

The king Alfonso X founds The University of Salamanca on 1.253.

 

MODERN HISTORY

 

XVI century was a magnificent for the city. Because of two reasons: its university life (it has the most prestigious teachers) and, second, it reached its highest population level having more than 24.000 citizens. At XVII century, an economic and cultural renaissance took place: New Cathedral (Catedral Nueva) and the “Plaza Mayor” (Baroque style) were built.

 

Salamanca has two Universities:

 

           

 

            The University of Salamanca                The "Pontificia University"

 

The second one belongs to the Catholic Churc.

 

 The "Pontificia University" is soooo massive and impressive that there is no zoom!!! for the camera to take it whole! 

Picture at night of the "University of Salamanca"

Antonio de Nebrija wrote and published the first grammar of Castilian language at 1.492. A global movement was born (“La Escuela de Salamanca”) at University classrooms where many modern concepts of Political and Law were made up.

Francisco de Vitoria who was promoted this line of thought developing a new “Ius Gentium” and so, creating the very modern “International Law”.

Teachers at that time were so brilliant that classes became into a spectacle that used to convulse the whole city and students shot them thousands of questions eager to learn from their wisdom.

 

ARTISTIC PLACES

 

ANCIENT NEIGHBORHOOD

 

 

 

 

Plaza Mayor at night.

 

 

 

"Plaza Mayor" aerial photography.

 

 

The " Campo de San Francisco" is the first public garden over the old "San Franciso el Real" convent lands.

I love being there just being seated looking around and hearing singing birds. And I adore how clean is all.

 

  

 

 These pictures belong to the "Huerto de Calixto y Melibea" (Calixto & Melibea´s garden) which design was inspired by the "Celestina" Fernando de Rojas work.

 

 

This is the "Plaza del Corrillo" and it is the most beautiful gate to the "Rúa Mayor" street plenty of restaurants, also with modern and fashion chocolate shop.

 

 

  

At the "Plaza del Corrillo" you will find many people selling hand made collars, books and bracelets.

 

 

Inside the columns of "Plaza Mayor". This is beautiful, isn´t it? I love it!

 

 

 This is a pastry shop in the "Plaza Mayor". The typical food here is called "hornazo". It is made with a delicious type of bread, chorizo, lomo and eggs. I can´t tell how I could define the savour. You must come and taste it!

 

 

This picture reflects perfectly the so sexy and magical atmosphere there always is in Salamanca. There are really some good pictures not telling just the image but also catching the moment. This is what I breath every time I go to this trully charming city.

 This is another picture of the "Pontificia University" taken at night.

 And this one is the called "Casa de las Conchas", who is, as you can see, next the "Pontificia University".

 Salamanca is only a walk among stone jewels and here I have showed only a few of them. When you arrive at the city and you start seeing, you cannot understand how many wonderful buildings are all together in this unbelievable but real city.

This is the "Palacio de Monterrey".

This is the "Rúa Mayor" street and you can see one of the towers of the Cathedral. 

This is one of the Cathedrals of Salamanca (there are two of them; the New and the Old.)

This elegant building is the "San Esteban" convent.

This is the "Santa Teresa" well. One of those "corners".

 This is the "Plaza de Anaya" where is the "Faculty of Philosophy".

 Other beautiful moment of this place.

 The "New Cathedral" is at the "Plaza de Anaya".

This is the Faculty of Philosophy at "Plaza de Anaya".

A very typical and delicious "hornazo" from Salamanca.

Thesa are the real "tapas" that you can try on the bars at the "Plaza Mayor" or another corner in the city.

Enjoy!

These pictures belong to the luxuriant restaurant "Plaza 23" at the "Plaza Mayor".

You can enjoy of the beautiful views from the "Plaza Mayor".

There are many places in Salamanca where young lamb can be eaten, but only at "Plaza 23" is served sweetened and boned over a modern slate tray and garnished with wheat risotto and shiitake.

You can be delighted with "Pedro Ximenez foie" as first course. Roasted pork and veal sirloin with parmesan and bacon cake are also delicious.

Desserts are made at the moment and red fruits are used on them adding cold cheese soup and ice.

"Plaza 23" has a wide wine selection. More than 150 references.

Everything is possible in Salamanca!!