Salamanca

The province of Salamana borders with Portugal and the provinces of Zamora, Avila and Caceres and is one of the most magic provinces in Spain. Fertile lands watered by the riveres Duero and Tormes, vast pastures used for cattle and pig farming, spectacular natural parks, including the Arribes del Duero and Peña de Francia, picturesque villages lost in time, and of course , its majestic capital, the City of Salamanca, a World Heritage City, European Culture Capital in 2002, Spain's oldest university and one of its most beautiful and monumental cities in the country (many would say the most).

Salamanca capital city

Salamanca is city reminiscent of Oxford or Cambridge in the sense that it seems to breathe art, culture and knowledge as you walk along the streets and admire its señorial houses, small palaces, university buildings, towers, churches, the cathedral.... . For the best panoramic view of the city, go to the Parador of Salamanca on the other side of the River Tormes. Popular with thousands of foreign students who come to Salamanca each year to study one of the Spanish language and culture courses offered by the University or one of the seemingly hundreds of acadamies, Salamanca is a cosmopolitan, lively city.

History of Salamanca

Like most parts of Spain, Salamanca was occupied by the Romans and Visigoths. During Moorish occupation of Spain power toed and froed between the Arabs and Christians. In the 11th Century Alfonso VI consolidated Christian rule and appointed Count Raimundo de Borgoña, to rule over the city. This was the beginning of Salamanca's recovery, as the new stability encouraged people from all over the Iberian Peninsula to make their home in the city. In the 12th century the Old Cathedral was built and as it became a center of study, the seeds of one of Europe's first universities were sown. As the center of study grew, so religious orders and scholars started flocking to Salamanca, and their presence consolidated the University. Convents were built, money was donated by the Catholic church leaders, residences for scholars were built, and Salamanca became Spain's most important city during the Renaissance period, resulting in the so-called Spanish Golden Age (Siglo de Oro) when Spanish art, literature and music flourished. Fray Luis de León, Antonio de Nebrija, Lope de Vega, Christopher Columbus, Calderón de la Barca, Teresa de Jesús, San Juan de la Cruz, Cervantes and Christopher Columbus all spent part of their lives in Salamanca. See photos of Salamanca.

What to see in Salamanca:

• The Plaza Mayor: Probably the best place from where to start walking around Salamanca, and where to have a cafe con leche or glass of cold water at one of the tables set up by the bars and cafes in the square. Built in the 18th century.
• The University: Beautiful architecture and the famous plateresque façade with the hidden frog. The Old University Library is simply awesome, with shelves full of old literary and scholarly works of art. The library has over 160,000 volumes. Also visit the cloister, the paraninfo and the surrounding University buildings. See photos of the University of Salamanca.
• Casa de las Conchas: Renaissance. One of Salamanca's most emblematic buildings. Today it is an art gallery and library.
• Catedral Viaja: XIII. The Old Cathedral of Salamanca. Unique façade of this building which was to become the one of Europe's main temples of knowledge and scientific research, and the embrion of one of Europe's first universities
• Catedral Nueva: The New Cathedral of Salamanca. Again unique in the decoration of the façades. Romanic and gothic - a mixture of styles since the work on the new Cathedral began in the 1400s and ended in the 1700s.
• Convento de las Dueñas: Convent founded by Juana Rodríguez Maldonado in 1419 . Beautiful cloister. The nuns sell pastries and sweets to visitors.
• Clerecia: Unfinished example of religious barroque art. A huge cupola, magnificent 12th century altarpiece covered with gold and stairway.
• Casa Lis Museum: Art nouveau and Art Deco, the Casa Lis Museum receives more visitors than any other museum in the whole of Castilla y Leon. Open Tuesday-Friday 11.00-14.00 and 17.00-21.00. Sundays and public holidays 11.00-21.00.
• Museo de Bellas Artes: Art museum, open Tuesday to Saturday, 10.00-14.00 and 17.00-20.00. Sundays and public holidays 10.00-14.00.
• Palacio de La Salina: 16th century structure attributed to Alonso de Fonseca. Headquarters of the Provincial government, this building has a beautiful indoor patio.
• Convento y Museo de las Úrsulas: convent and museum in one of the favourite areas of locals for having a paseo (stroll) in the evening
• Colegio del Arzobispo Fonseca: Rennaisance patio. Cultural activities are organised here in the Summer months and next door there is a former hospedería (hostal) where art exhibitions and other cultural activities are held all year round.
• Cueva de Salamanca: Where, according to legend, the devil used to teach scholars everything that their religious teachers would not teach them.
• Huerto de Calixto y Melibea: Lovely garden where supposedly Calixto and Melibea used to meet.
• Iglesia de San Martin: 12th century church next to the Plaza Mayor. Romanic façade.
• Convento de San Esteban: Spectacular plateresque façade where in the center above the entrance is Ceroni's Martyrdom of St. Stephen (1610). The church, designed by Juan de Álava in the shape of a Latin cross, was begun in 1524. The beautifu inner courtyard is a blends Gothic and Renaissance styles.
• Museo de la Historia de la Ciudad: Museum which explains the history of Salamanca. Open Tuesday to Thursday 09.00-14.00, Friday to Saturdays from 9.00-14.00 and 16.00-19.00. C
• Casa-Museo de Unamuno: House of Miguel Unamuno, the emblematic philosopher and scholar who was Rector of the University of Salamanca for two long periods until Franco's troops put him under house arrest until he died.

What to eat in Salamanca: One of the characteristics of Salamanca's countryside are its wild pastures dotted with bushes and oak trees where pigs walk around eating fallen acorns which give all pork products a special flavour.

Salamanca is famous for its cured pork meats and hams, and for the beef from the morucha cow, a breed which is only found in this province. Other typical dishes based on local produce are pulse stews and casseroles (lentils, chickpeas, beans of all shapes and sizes), cereals, roast suckling pig and breads.

Where to eat in Salamanca

Restaurants in Salamanca: Chez Victor, probably the best restaurant in the city. Modern using local traditional ingredients; Merchán, creative cuisine; La Hoja, next to the Plaza Mayor, good traditional food; La Aldaba, specialised in morucha beef dishes; La Encina, a modest restaurant serving good grilled meats.

Tapas bars in Salamanca: The most famous (and popular so it's difficult to get a place at the bar) are: El Acedos, La Bodega, Bosque and El Trillo.

Hotels in Salamanca

Places of interest in the Province of Salamanca:

Ciudad Rodrigo: Ciudad Rodrigo sits on top of a hill just next to the border dividing Spain from Portugal, and the wall surrounding this small town (14,000 inhabitants) reflects its strategic importance in the past. Occupied by Neolithic settlers, Vettones, Romans, Moors and finally Christians. In the 12th century Count Rodrigo González Girón give his name to the city, and some years later the cathedral was built. During the 15th and 16th centuries Ciudad Rodrigo flourished, and many of the small palaces and stately homes built during that period are still standing today. Ciudad Rodrigo is a bit like a minature Salamanca. Visitors are advised to stay in the beautiful Ciudad Rodrigo Parador and to enjoy strolling around this sleepy town which oozes history on every street. Se photos of Ciudad Rodrigo.

La Alberca: Beautiful small village - just over one thousand inhabitants - with narrow picturesque streets, unique half-timbered houses with geraniums hanging over the balconies. And although it has become more crowded with tourists (mainly daytrippers) in the last few years, Alberca still retains the unique charm to which it owes its growing fame, despite the inevitable shops for tourists which spill out onto the streets. Local fiestas in August are a mixture of pagan and religious celebration, so typical of rural Spain.

Set in the heart of the Sierra de France, a beautiful range of mountains, at the foot of the Peña de Francia and surrounded by fertile lands, Alberca is just 73 km. from Salamanca, and the drive there is lovely. If you go in Autumn, try one of the local dishes with setas, wild mushrooms. See Photos of La Alberca.

Alba de Tormes; Village just 20 km. from Salamanca set on the banks of the River Tormes in a lovely setting. Visit the 16th century Carmelitas convent - Convento de la Anunciación - where the remains of Santa Teresa are buried.

Natural parks and reserves in Salamanca Province

Valle de las Batuecas: Beautiful unspoilt and unpopulated countryside, with all sorts of different flora and fauna. Home to deer, mountain goats, golden eagles, black vultures and even lynx (an endangered species). Perfect for driving, stopping and walking. Se photos of Salamanca Province.