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Salamanca is home to the oldest university in Spain. Together with that of Oxford, Paris, Cambridge and Bologna it is among the oldest universities still active in all of Europe. And it is right in front of the university that thousands of tourists and students stop to follow an ancient tradition: look for the famous stone frog that hides on its facade. Lucky charm.
City of rare beauty, ideal for long walks on a romantic weekend, Salamanca is easily accessible from nearby Madrid also by public transport. The characteristic golden color of the monuments built in Villamayor stone will seduce you at sunset, just when the sun’s rays will transform their view into a thousand golden facets. Its varied historic center contains wonderful architectural examples in different styles: Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Plateresque. Traveling its streets you can breathe centuries of history, art and knowledge that have made this city a universal destination for culture. The city had its heyday during the 16th century. In fact, in that period the city reached 24,000 inhabitants, above all for the prestige of the professors of its university, in which up to 1580 6,500 students enrolled per year.
It followed a period of decline and in about 1930, during the Spanish civil war it became the seat of the nationalist troops of General Francisco Franco. The consuls of Nazi Germany and fascist Italy, the main allies of the Francoist rebels, were received in the town hall, in the Plaza Mayor.
The magnificent Plaza Mayor is the center of urban life in the city of Salamanca. Initially called Plaza de San Martín, in addition to being considered the most beautiful historical square in Spain, it is also one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. The nerve center of the city under the arcades full of shops and cafes, tourists and students meet.
At sunset, a splendid scenography of lights illuminates the square and the richly decorated facade of the university: two wonderful works that once seen will remain forever in your hearts.
Pope Pius XII in 1940 to found the Pontifical University of Salamanca, for theology studies. In 1998, with the agreement of the Ministers of Culture of the European Union, Salamanca is designated, together with Bruges, European Capital of Culture for the year 2002.
The Enrique Estevan bridge, also known as the New Bridge, is one of the bridges that crosses the Tormes river in Salamanca. Built in 1902, after numerous interruptions it was inaugurated on 22 October 1913. The bridge is dedicated to the councilor Enrique Estevan Santos who authorizes its construction. It is a metal bridge with six arches of about 43 meters. Each of them is supported by granite pillars.
Photographer: Susana Iglesias Hernandez
The photos are owned by © Susana Iglesias Hernandez
Thanks to Susana Iglesias Hernandez for sharing her photo on Planet Color Photography
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