SALAMANCA’S UNFORGETTABLE VIBE

When you travel to Salamanca you´ll fell a fascinating interplay of the new and the old, the romantic past and the exciting future, the history and culture and the dynamic party scene. This is a very uinique vibe that has earned it the ironic title of “the youngest old city in Spain.” While it is regal, full of interesting architecture and breathtaking works of art, it still has that kind of fun youthfulness. No, this city isn’t a museum!

GRAND HISTORY

Salamanca has a long history, filled with dramatic turning points. It was taken over by different armies over several centuries, and was even used as a fortress by the Celts. There are even stories of huge book burnings and mysterious executions, not to mention the role it played in the Spanish Inquisition and the fight for freedom from Napoleon’s rule. Today Salamanca is a centre of learning and culture, and there are many libraries and museums that showcase some of Spain’s most valuable artifacts.

THE EXCITING NIGHT LIFE

After touring the city the whole day, you can look forward to an exciting night. After the sun sets, the city seems to wake up and put on its best clothes. This is partly due to the large number of students both from the city and around the world, who have taken over this laid-back and sleepy city and turned it into party central. There are many bars, restaurants, dance clubs, and shot bars (which are called chupiterias).

THE PRESTIGIOUS SCHOOLS

The University of Salamanca was established in 1218 by King Alfonso VI. Some of its most prestigious faculty and students include the writer Miguel de Cervantes, the adventurer Christopher Columbus, the esteemed Jesuit Ignatius Loyola, Hernán Cortés, and Miguel de Unamuno. At one point it was counted as one of the “four leading lights” of the world, ranked with Oxford, Paris, and Bologna.

BREATHTAKING ARCHITECTURE

The city is primarily known for its Plateresque and Churrigueresque architecture, though the diverse designs include Romanesque churches to colossal Baroque plazas. The buildings are also made of sandstone, unique for the fact that age has imbued the material with a soft and ethereal golden glow (one reason why it’s called “the golden city.”

THE COSMOPOLITAN PLAZA MAYOR

Plaza Mayor is one of the grandest city squares you’ll ever find in Spain. Like some fantastic living room, people all gather here to talk, to explore, and to appreciate the fine surroundings. The place was constructed by a member of the Churrigueras family, who was behind the Churrigueresque Baroque style. The design features included iron balconies arcaded walkways, iron balconies, and several terrace cafés.

CULTURAL CAPITAL

Salamanca has many museums with exhibits that tackle everything from antique cars to the fascinating pieces from the art nouveau period.

AMAZING CUISINE

Salamanca’s fields and valleys are very fertile, and the quality of the fruits and vegetables, meats and cheeses are amazing. Even the simplest delicious are unforgettable because of the sheer texture, flavor and color of the ingredients. Salamanca also has a wide variety of native dishes, although its known for its hearty roasts and stews.

CENTRAL LOCATION

Salamanca is conveniently located near Madrid and Portugal, allowing visitors to visit other areas with minimal fuss and waste of time. The transportation system I excellent and it is easy to travel both around and outside the city. If you want to visit the Canary islands, choose Tenerife with its wonderful landscape and beaches.

Salamanca is a region in Spain and is part of the Northen Plateau, near the Duero river. It is found in Castile and Leon province and shares a border with Portugal. The province is a little over 12,000 square kilometres.

Winters in Salamanca are quite long, with temperatures falling to an average of 6ºC (42,8ºF). The summers are relatively long and quite hot, ranging from 20ºC - 22ºC (68ºF-71ºF) on the hottest of days. However the temperature usually stay at about 35 degrees, and then slips to a comfortable 25 and 30 degrees. However, it is not advisable to go to Salamanca during July and August because of the heat. You may want to wait until Spring and Autumn, where the temperature is an easy 20 degrees.

While Salamanca has a big population of nearly 200,000 people, it still has that intimate and small-town vibe because of it being a university city. Everyone is quite friendly and the youthful energy is quite apparent. In fact, everyday many of the inhabitants converge in the Plaza Mayor, known as one of the best city squares in the country. You will meet many people from different countries and walks of life—it’s a great place to make contacts!

Salamanca is quite popular as a place for people who want to learn Spanish, because the inhabitants tend to speak what is called “pure Spanish” or Castilian. There are many schools and the highly respected University of Salamanca has long been recognized as a centre of learning. In fact, it was once ranked with Oxford and Paris as the best places to go to school. Tuition fees are quite affordable and the friendliness of the people make it quite easy for foreign visitors to get used to their new “home”.

Cost of living is quite good here as the bars and restaurants are used to catering to student budgets! You will find many affordable accommodations. You can go on the Internet to find hotels, hostels and houses to rent. You can also go to student forums.

Salamanca has played a big role in Spain’s history. Visitors can actually look at Pre-Roman remains which are located at Teso de San Vicente, next to the river Tormes. There they will find the famous Iberican statue, the Verraco, which is said to symbolize the bull. It is found at the middle of a bridge built during Roman times. Salamanca was once part of Lusitania. The original city walls still stand, and visitors can find ancient inscriptions. Another historical place worth visiting is the Calzada de la Plata which connected the two areas of Astorga and Merida.

Later on Salamanca was taken over by Hannibal, which started the Visigothic area. There was also an ongoing battle between Arabs and Christians for control over the area. It was finally seized by Alfonso the Sixth. Salamanca then became part of the territory of his son in law, Count Raimundo de Borgoña.

In the year 1200 Alfonso the Ninth established the foundation of the University of Salamanca.This was part of a golden era in the area’s history, where it was recognized world wide for its prosperity and trade. This was due to the fine leadership of Alfonso.

The University of Salamanca soon became recognized as one of the most important educational institutions in Europe. In fact, Pope Alexander the Ninth called it one of the world’s four leading lights. It was strongly supported byFernando el Santo and Alfonso X el Sabio. They were considered part of the university board and had a say in the number and type of chairs the University was to be composed of.

However in the fifteenth century Spain and Salamanca was thrown into great political upheaval. Battles between the infantes of Aragon, and the followers of D. Alvaro de Luna ensued. The problem escalated in 1465, when—in the middle of a ball game–members of the Manzano family killed members of the Enrique family. The mother of the Enrique boys, María Rodríguez de Monroy saw her sons’ mangled bodies and vowed revenge. She went after the murderers, finding them in the bodies of her sons. Somehow she managed to kill them, and take their heads. She threw these on her sons tombstones at the church of Santo Tomé. This is just one of the many dramatic and emotional moments in Salamanca history and folklore.