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Salamanca (day1)

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Salamanca is large enough (180.000 inhabitants) to be able to offer the advantages of a real city, but at the same time it keeps the intimacy of a village. Here, the inhabitants speak the "purest" Spanish in Spain - Castilian. For this reason Salamanca is enormously popular with people all over the world who want to learn Spanish.

One of the most important moments in Salamanca's history was the year 1218, when Alfonso IX created the University of Salamanca. Soon it became one of the most significant and prestigious academic centres in Europe, and much later someone had the foresight to open loads of bars in anticipation of our arrival.

The Plaza Mayor (pictured above) is the central square in the city and is known as the living room of the Salmantinos (Salamancans). It was constructed by Andrés García de Quiñones at the beginning of the 18th century. The plaza has a capacity of 20,000 people and is surrounded by shaded arcades. The plaza was originally a venue for bullfights, but is currently used primarily for concerts. The plaza is regarded as one of the finest squares in Europe.

 

Salamanca is considered one of the most spectacular Renaissance cities in Europe. Through the centuries the sandstone buildings have gained an exquisite golden glow that has given Salamanca the nickname La Ciudad Dorada, the golden city. This golden glow is unique in Spain and is due to the "Villamayor Stone", a type of sandstone coming from a quarry situated in Villamayor, a village close to Salamanca.

The main attractions beside the various University buildings include its two Cathedrals, a fine Roman bridge, La Casa de las Conchas which is a house decorated with 350 shells as well as a variety of ancient Renaissance buildings scattered around the historical central district.

 

 

 

Situated in the autonomous community of Castilla y León, Salamanca is situated amongst the region's landscape of dramatic mountain ranges and pastures extending beyond the horizon. While feisty Andalucía may be the Spain of popular imagination, this land of castles- from which Castilla derives its name- is the region of genuine Spanish culture, time-honoured tradition, and dignified grandeur.

While night time in Salamanca is a frenzy of music, dancing, drinking, and socializing, daytime Salamanca is laid-back and enchanting, a vibe which fits its cobbled streets and the centuries-old buildings untouched by the passage of time.

In order to cover ground and head south, today is the only day that involves any significant autovia riding.

The hotel in Salamanca has a private underground car park, the cost of which is included in the tour.


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