Salamanca Overview

By Christopher Minster

Salamanca is a small city that seems much larger than it actually is: this is due to the number of quality things to see and do in town. The city has a long history: it was founded by Celts and fought over by the Romans and Carthaginians: Hannibal himself laid siege to it. The most important historical event in the history of the city took place in 1218, when Alfonso IX established a university there: since then, the school has been a crucial part of the city’s identity.

Salamanca is a beautiful city: many attribute the attractive buildings to the “Villamayor” stone, a sort of sandstone quarried locally. The reddish stone, rich in iron oxides, tends to get sort of shiny over time: the city’s nickname “The Golden City” comes from this glossy look. There are several interesting sights in the city, including the famous bridge over the Tormes River, which dates from Roman times. You can’t miss the Plaza Mayor, one of the most beautiful in Spain and the perfect place for a cup of coffee and a snack. There is a bullring in town and bullfights are popular when in season. The cathedral has more than its share of quality religious art.

You’ll also want to visit the university whether you’re a student or not. The impressive façade is priceless, and there are still a couple of old-style classrooms that you can visit. The university is quite historic: it was here that learned Spanish scholars debated the question of the rights of natives in the New World during the Spanish colonial period: they decided that natives did, in fact, have many rights. Unfortunately, in practice, the abuses of the colonial system relentlessly continued.

Perhaps because it is a college town, the nightlife in Salamanca is particularly lively: most of the hippest clubs don’t even open until after midnight, and it is a common sight to see bleary-eyed students heading home in the bright morning sunlight. There are tapas bars on every street offering up tasty portions of greasy, salty snacks.