Sights in Salamanca
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Plaza Mayor
Built between 1729 and 1755, Salamanca's exceptional grand square is widely considered to be Spain's most beautiful central plaza. The square is particularly memorable at night when illuminated (until midnight) to magical effect. Designed by Alberto Churriguera, it's a remarkably harmonious and controlled baroque display. The medallions placed around the square bear the busts of famous figures. Look for the controversial inclusion of Franco in the northeast corner – it looks different from the others, being moulded in a special easy-to-clean plastic to counter its regular subjection to vandalism. Bullfights were held here well into the 19th century; the last ceremonial
reviewed
-
B
Catedral Nueva
The tower of the late-Gothic Catedral Nueva lords over the centre of Salamanca, its compelling churrigueresco (ornate style of baroque) dome visible from almost every angle. The interior is similarly impressive, with elaborate choir stalls, main chapel and retrochoir all courtesy of the prolific José Churriguera. The ceilings are also exceptional. It is, however, the magnificent Renaissance doorways, particularly the Puerta del Nacimiento on the western face, that stand out as one of several miracles worked in the city's native sandstone. The Puerta de Ramos, facing Plaza de Anaya, contains an encore to the 'frog spotting' challenge on the university facade. Look for…
reviewed
-
C
Catedral Vieja
The Catedral Nueva's largely Romanesque predecessor, the Catedral Vieja is adorned with an exquisite 15th-century altarpiece, with 53 panels depicting scenes from the lives of Christ and Mary, topped by a representation of the Final Judgment – it's one of the most beautiful Renaissance altarpieces outside Italy. The cathedral was begun in 1120 and remains something of a hybrid: there are Gothic elements, while the unusual ribbed cupola, the Torre del Gallo, reflects a Byzantine influence. The cloister was largely ruined in the 1755 earthquake, but the Capilla de Anaya houses an extravagant alabaster sepulchre and one of Europe's oldest organs, a Mudéjar work of art dating…
reviewed
-
D
Convento de San Esteban
Just down the hill from the cathedral, the lordly Convento de San Esteban's church has an extraordinary altar-like facade, with the stoning of San Esteban (St Stephen) as its central motif. Inside is a well-presented museum dedicated to the Dominicans, a splendid Gothic-Renaissance cloister and an elaborate church built in the form of a Latin cross and adorned by an overwhelming 17th-century altar by José Churriguera.
reviewed
-
E
Puerta de la Torre
For fine views over Salamanca, head to the tower at the southwestern corner of the Catedral Nueva's facade. From here, stairs lead up through the tower, past labyrinthine but well-presented exhibitions of cathedral memorabilia, then along the interior balconies of the sanctuaries of the Catedral Nueva and Catedral Vieja and out onto the exterior balconies. There's another entrance inside the Catedral Vieja.
reviewed
-
F
Universidad Civil
The visual feast of the entrance facade to Salamanca's university is a tapestry in sandstone, bursting with images of mythical heroes, religious scenes and coats of arms. It's dominated in the centre by busts of Fernando and Isabel.
Founded initially as the Estudio Generál in 1218, the university came into being in 1254 and reached the peak of its renown in the 15th and 16th centuries. Behind the facade, the highlight of an otherwise modest collection of rooms lies upstairs: the extraordinary university library, the oldest university library in Europe. With some 2800 manuscripts gathering dust, it's a real cemetery of forgotten books. Note the fine late-Gothic features…
reviewed
-
G
Convento de las Úrsulas
The Convento de las Úrsulas, a late-Gothic nunnery, was founded by Archbishop Alonso de Fonseca in 1512 and is now home to his magnificent marble tomb, sculpted by Diego de Siloé. It's closed on the last Sunday of each month. There's also a Spanish twist: the nuns rent out part of the space to a nightclub called Camelot.
reviewed
-
H
Casa de las Conchas
One of the city's most endearing buildings, the House of the Shells is named after the scallop shells clinging to its facade. Its original owner, Dr Rodrigo Maldonado de Talavera, was a doctor at the court of Isabel and a member of the Order of Santiago, whose symbol is the shell. It now houses the public library, entered via a charming bi-level courtyard.
reviewed
-
I
Palacio de Monterrey
Off the southwestern corner of Plaza Mayor, take Calle del Prior, which leads to the Palacio de Monterrey, a 16th-century holiday home of the Duques de Alba and a seminal piece of Spanish Renaissance architecture; it's not open to the public but the facade is superb.
reviewed
-
J
Convento de Santa Clara
This much-modified convent started life as a Romanesque structure and now houses a small museum. You can admire the beautiful frescoes and climb up some stairs to inspect at close quarters the 14th- and 15th-century artesonado (wooden Mudéjar ceiling). You can only visit as part of a (Spanish-language) guided tour that takes 50 minutes.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Museo de Salamanca
Housed in the former residence of Queen Isabel's doctor, this museum is more interesting for the picture of tranquil Salamanca residential life in its attractive patios than for the paintings and sculptures within.
reviewed
-
L
Convento y Museo de las Úrsulas
A late-Gothic nunnery founded by Archbishop Alonso de Fonseca in 1512, the religious museum is fairly modest with some interesting paintings by Juan de Borgoña, who completed the stunning altar in Ávila Cathedral, but do take a look at the magnificent marble tomb within the church, sculpted by Diego de Siloé.
reviewed
-
M
Cielo de Salamanca
The main (and only) attraction here is the beautiful pale-blue ceiling fresco of the zodiac; give yourself a few moments to adjust to the light before gazing aloft.
reviewed
-
N
Convento de las Dueñas
This Dominican convent is home to the city's most beautiful cloister, with some decidedly ghoulish carvings on the capitals.
reviewed
-
O
Colegio del Arzobispo Fonseca
The 16th-century Colegio has a plateresque facade, a lovely courtyard and a sophisticated restaurant.
reviewed
-
P
Torre del Clavero
This 15th-century octagonal fortress has an unusual square base and smaller cylindrical towers.
reviewed
-
Q
Real Clericía de San Marcos
Visits to this colossal baroque church and the attached Catholic university are via obligatory guided tours (in Spanish), which run every 45 minutes. There are also plans to run tours up the church spire; ask at the municipal tourist office.
reviewed
-
R
Museo de Art Nouveau y Art Decó
Utterly unlike any other Salamanca museum, this playful collection of scultpure, paintings and art deco and art nouveau pieces inhabits a stunning, light-filled Modernista (Catalan art nouveau) house. There's abundant stained glass, Beatrix Potter bronzes, 19th-century children's dolls and so much more. There's a cafe and a fabulous shop; later head for Paseo del Rector Esperabé for excellent views of the house.
reviewed
-
S
Iglesia de San Martín
Iglesia de San Martín is wedged among houses.
reviewed
-
T
Museo Taurino
Salamanca lies in one of Spain's bullfighting heartlands and this small museum is packed with bullfighting memorabilia.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Catedral Nueva & Catedral Vieja
Curiously, Salamanca is home to two cathedrals: the newer and larger cathedral was built beside the old Romanesque one instead of on top of it, as was the norm. The Catedral Nueva, completed in 1733, is a late-Gothic masterpiece that took 220 years to build. Its magnificent Renaissance doorways stand out. For fine views over Salamanca, head to the southwestern corner of the cathedral facade and the Puerta de la Torre, from where stairs lead up through the tower.
The largely Romanesque Catedral Vieja is a 12th-century temple with a stunning 15th-century altarpiece whose 53 panels depict scenes from the life of Christ and Mary, topped by a representation of the Final…
reviewed