Salamanca has plenty of local festivals where the city and Plaza Mayor stays up late to celebrate. The city has a local festival from the 8th to the 21st of September. The spirit of this festival is to hour Virgen de la Vega (Virgin of the Valley) and Saint Matthew.
The Easter/Holly Week festival is celebrated as a magnificent but sombre event throughout all towns in the region. Watch the procession of religious floats decorated elaborately with glorious fabrics and spectacular details, lighted by candles, as they move slowly through the streets.
June, July and August offer a number of festivals. The fiesta for Saint John of Sahagun is held on the 12th of June, and is for four days for the patron saint of Salamanca. Later in the month of June, on the 29th there is a festival for Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The festival for Santiago Apostol is held on the 25th of July in Candelario, and this fiesta’s entertainment includes the running of the bulls and bullfights with inexperienced fighters.
On the outskirts of Salamanca is a roman ruin from the 1st century. The Puente Romano, a roman bridge across the Tormes River. The bridge was originally constructed with 26 arches but with the passing of time only 15 arches remain.
If you are looking to do an easy day trip outside of Salamanca, then why not drive out to Civdad Rodrigo. The town is 27km from the border with Portugal and is fortified. It played an important role in the wars between Portugal and Spain. It is a small town with a population of 16,000, but wander around Civdad Rodrigo’s narrow, medieval streets and marvel at the beautiful sandstone churches, roman ruins and medieval architecture.
So you’ve seen the sights and you’re wondering what else to do. Why not enjoy the Salamanca life style. Eat well, drink well, and sleep late. If this is not really your scene then enjoy Salamanca’s cafe culture. Sit in the historic centre, let time pass you by, take in the living museums and contemplate what life must have been like for a scholar in the 16th century. While you enjoy your expresso or cafe con leche (coffee with milk) try sampling some of the local pastries and confectionary. By doing this you will be able to see how the Moors and Jews influenced Spanish cuisine and culture. The number of available sweets are impressive but some of the best are: almendras garrapinadas (sugar coated almonds), perrunillas (cinnamon and lemon biscuits), mazapanes (marzipan), amarguillos (almond biscuits), and roscas (doughnuts).
Segovia is only 91km from Madrid. You could visit the sights in a day trip, but the experience will be much more enjoyable if you stay overnight. Segovia is a very pretty city and rises up from the plains. Segovia has a beautiful castle, El Alcazar that sits upon the hill, and the 2000 year old Roman Aqueduct. The city has a medieval ambience, an old quarter, and Spain’s oldest gothic cathedral the Cathedral de Segovia. The winding, cobble stone streets lead to arts and craft stores you will wish to explore.
The Roman Aqueduct is an amazing feat of engineering. It was constructed without any mortar and any other fasteners. It is only gravity and good engineering that holds the Aqueduct together. The Aqueduct was constructed in A.D. 90 and the stone work used is granite. It is Spain’s best standing Roman structure. It was originally designed to bring water from the Ríofrío River into Segovia. The Aqueduct is one km long and has 166 arches, as bridges are typically the first structures to be destroyed during wars, in the 11th century, 35 arches were demolished by the Moors. The Aqueduct is made of 20,000 stones and has 120 pillars. At night the city of Segovia lights up the Aqueduct, and this is a nice time to view the structure and the backdrop of Segovia.
The castle, El Alcazar de Segovia was originally built in the 12th century. Although what you see is from the 15th century, as this is when the castle was fully reconstructed due to experience destruction from fire. The castle was used during the Middle Ages by Spain’s royalty. Relax, enjoy and explore. By climbing the 400 steps in the castle, you will be able to get a vantage point that will allow for a spectacular view of Segovia and the rural landscape surrounding the city. It is definitely a sight you don’t want to miss.
The Cathedral de Segovia is in Gothic style and the cathedral you see was built in 1525. The cathedral fronts Plaza Mayor. This is actually the second cathedral built on the site, as the cloisters are from the first cathedral. Features to look out for inside the church is the Churriguera designed chapel, the other 22 intricately designed chapels, the beautiful stained glass windows, and the carved choir.
Avila is on route to Salamanca, and is 110 km from Madrid. This medieval city is surrounded by a military fortress, Las Murallas de Ávila. Castillo means castle, and the Castile region is abundant with castles, military fortresses and cathedrals. The Castile region played center stage in the many battles throughout the ages between the Moors, Christians, and the Visigoths.
The walls of Avila were completed in 1090. They are considered to be the most impressive and intact military fortress walls in all of Europe. The walls rise above the dry, rural background.
In summary the history of settlements and invaders in Spain is as follows. The Phoenicians arrived in 1100 B.C. The Carthaniginians were removed from 218-202 B.C. from southern Spain. During the 5th century, from the north came the Visigoths with Germanic linkages. The Visigoths were removed by the Moors during the 11th century. The wars continued and the Moors were removed by the Christians, and Christian structures built. The Moors were fully removed from Spain by the Catholic Kings in 1492. During the Middle Ages, and these were the years when Spain was the most prosperous country in Europe due to colonization of outpost countries, there was little tolerance for religions other than Catholism. Thousands of non-Catholics were executed, tortured and expelled from Spain.
Walk along the walls of Avila, explore, and take your time to imagine living in this city during medieval times. Looking down from the walls and seeing an invading army with your men prepared to retaliate. Las Murallas de Avila are one and a half miles in length, 36 feet high, 9 feet in thickness. Climb the steps to the circular towers, all 88 towers. Visit the six gates, and especially the Puerta de Alcazar which is considered the most splendid, and view the bell tower.
Avila is the birthplace of Teresa of Ávila, and many make the pilgrimage to this city for this reason alone.
While in Avila you can also visit the Cathedral de Avila. It was built from the 12th to the 16th century and has architecture in the Romanesque and Gothic style. The Basilica de San Vincente was built in the 12th century in Romanesque style. It is known for holding the tomb of Saint Vincent, who was killed on the spot of the church in the 4th century. There are also limestone carving depicting scenes of martyrdom.
