We arrived in the morning and did a full guided tour through the historic center of Salamanca \u2014 and let me tell you, it\u2019s absolutely jaw-dropping!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Below, I\u2019ll tell you a bit about each place. And if you like what you read and haven\u2019t planned your trip to Spain yet, you might want to add Salamanca to your bucket list. bucket list.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Alguns links deste post s\u00e3o afiliados e eu posso receber uma comiss\u00e3o por eles, sem custo adicional para voc\u00ea. Recomendo apenas servi\u00e7os que uso e confio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also known as the \u201cGolden City,\u201d Salamanca has nearly three millennia of history and holds many architectural and historical treasures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n No wonder it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and a European Capital of Culture in 2002.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With over 4,400 square meters, its size and beauty are impressive. There\u2019s no way to visit Salamanca without passing through Spain\u2019s most beautiful Plaza Mayor. Plaza Mayor <\/em>mais bonita da Espanha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Built in 1755, it is considered one of the best examples of 18th-century Baroque architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Its structure includes 88 arches, 57 sculpted medallions featuring prominent Spanish figures, and 11 entrances (9 doors and 2 passages) that lead to the city\u2019s main landmarks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is where our tour began!<\/p>\n\n\n\n To start things off, we had a pincho at Mes\u00f3n Cervantes, a cozy bar \u201chidden\u201d up a staircase in the Pavilion of the Kings. The medieval-style decor made it even more special \u2014 I loved it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Essa parada \u00e9 a mais indicada para quem quer levar para casa alimentos frescos locais e os famosos embutidos da regi\u00e3o. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s located right next to the Plaza Mayor, but I recommend going there at the end of the day so you\u2019re not carrying heavy bags during your tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just a few steps from the Plaza, we came across the beautiful Casa de las Conchas. Like every corner of Salamanca, this place doesn\u2019t disappoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Its fa\u00e7ade features over 300 sculpted shells. Besides being beautiful and unique, I love one of the legends behind it (there are two versions).<\/p>\n\n\n\n One says the shells were placed in honor of the Order of Santiago, a tribute to the Camino de Compostela. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The second \u2014 and my favorite \u2014 says the shells represent a love poem. Each shell symbolizes Don Rodrigo\u2019s love for his wife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, the Casa de las Conchas serves as the city\u2019s public library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Founded in 1218, the University of Salamanca is the oldest in Spain. With over 800 years of history, it's part of the original group of European universities, along with Paris, Oxford, and Bologna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We chose not to go inside the historic building, whose main attraction is \u2014 believe it or not \u2014 a frog carved among the fa\u00e7ade\u2019s ornaments! Legend says students who spot it will pass their exams and have a good academic year (asking for help doesn\u2019t count, haha!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Right in front of the university\u2019s main fa\u00e7ade, you\u2019ll find the charming courtyard of the Escuelas Menores. Inside one of the rooms is Francisco Gallego\u2019s artwork El Cielo de Salamanca, which illustrates astronomical and astrological themes. It was one of my favorite parts of the tour!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, photos are not allowed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Opened in 1953, the Unamuno House Museum was created to preserve the life and works of Spanish writer, philosopher, and poet Miguel de Unamuno y Jugo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The building, owned by the University of Salamanca, is where Unamuno lived with his family during his years as rector (1900 to 1914).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, the museum is an important research center for Unamuno\u2019s life and legacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The house still contains its original furniture, personal belongings, paintings, and photographs \u2014 it truly feels like a time capsule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, cathedrals \u2014 plural! Salamanca is one of the few Spanish cities where the Old and New Cathedrals stand side by side, as if they were one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Old Cathedral, Romanesque in style, began construction in 1509.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But as Salamanca\u2019s population grew (thanks to the university), it became too small, so construction on the New Cathedral began in 1513.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because it took over 200 years to complete, the New Cathedral features a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. It\u2019s the city\u2019s largest monument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One thing that caught my eye was the sculpture of an astronaut and a dragon eating ice cream on the cathedral\u2019s fa\u00e7ade. Quite the mystery, right? This sparked many theories, but the truth is: in 1922, architect Jer\u00f3nimo Garcia de Qui\u00f1ones restored the building and followed a tradition of including modern elements during restorations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A verdade \u00e9 que em 1922 ap\u00f3s passar por um restauro, o arquiteto Jer\u00f3nimo Garcia de Qui\u00f1ones nada mais que manteve uma tradi\u00e7\u00e3o, na qual os restauradores costumam incluir algum elemento moderno a cada novo trabalho de restaura\u00e7\u00e3o.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This 2,500 m\u00b2 romantic garden was the setting for Fernando Rojas\u2019 novel La Celestina.La Celestina<\/em>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a lovely and peaceful place with beautiful views of the cathedral and the city. I kept imagining how stunning it must be in spring, when everything is in bloom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This medieval tower is located over the remains of the old city wall, next to the Cave of Salamanca. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the name, it never belonged to the Marquess of Villena. According to legend, he was the student who tricked the devil and lost his shadow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I didn\u2019t climb the many stairs to the top, but you can \u2014 and enjoy a different view of the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As an architect, I couldn\u2019t help but admire the unique Casa Lis. Since 1995, it has housed the Art Nouveau and Art D\u00e9co Museum of Salamanca.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Built over the city walls, the building combines industrial and modernist features. Its south fa\u00e7ade \u2014 made of iron and glass \u2014 is especially striking. You simply can\u2019t miss it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The museum hosts a permanent collection and various temporary exhibits throughout the year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Highlights include a collection of 19th-century French porcelain dolls and chryselephantine sculptures (typical of Art D\u00e9co, made of metal and ivory). Art D\u00e8co<\/em> feitas com metal e marfim).<\/p>\n\n\n\n This pedestrian-only monument has been part of the city\u2019s history since Roman times. It was once part of the Silver Route (V\u00eda de la Plata) for many years.\n\nHannibal, Lazarillo, and French troops all crossed this bridge. Of its 26 arches, 15 are original.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the entrance stands a prehistoric bull statue \u2014 one of the most famous in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This was the final stop on our guided tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A poucos quil\u00f4metros de Salamanca, a cidade de Valladolid<\/a> guarda um charme pr\u00f3prio e muitos lugares interessantes pra visitar. To wrap up our day in Salamanca and escape the biting winter cold, we stopped at The Molly\u2019s Cross \u2014 a super stylish and cozy Irish pub that brews its own craft beer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back at Plaza Mayor, our meeting point, we enjoyed a festive Christmas light show and said goodbye to the Golden City. Check out the video below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nContents<\/h4>
Salamanca, the Golden City<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Plaza Mayor de Salamanca<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Plaza](\"https:\/\/seguetodavidareto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/um-dia-em-Salamanca-Espanha-15.jpg\")
![\"Interior](\"https:\/\/seguetodavidareto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/um-dia-em-Salamanca-Espanha-16.jpg\")
Salamanca Central Market<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Vitrine](\"https:\/\/seguetodavidareto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/um-dia-em-Salamanca-Espanha-12-edited.jpg\")
Casa de las Conchas (House of Shells)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"casa](\"https:\/\/seguetodavidareto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/casa-conchas-salamanca.jpg\")
University of Salamanca<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Fachada](\"https:\/\/seguetodavidareto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/um-dia-em-Salamanca-Espanha-04-edited.jpg\")
Escolas Menores<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Unamuno House Museum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Salamanca Cathedrals <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Fachada](\"https:\/\/seguetodavidareto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/um-dia-em-Salamanca-Espanha-06.jpg\")
![\"Esculturas](\"https:\/\/seguetodavidareto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/um-dia-em-Salamanca-Espanha-07-e1700852444139-edited.jpg\")
Huerto de Calixto y Melibea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Horta](\"https:\/\/seguetodavidareto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/um-dia-em-Salamanca-Espanha-09-768x1024.jpg\")
Marqu\u00e9s de Villena Tower<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Casa Lis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Casa](\"https:\/\/seguetodavidareto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/casa-lis-1024x754.jpg\")
Roman Bridge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Ponte](\"https:\/\/seguetodavidareto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/um-dia-em-Salamanca-Espanha-11-1.jpg\")
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Clique aqui, confira nosso post e veja por que vale incluir Valladolid no roteiro. <\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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