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Places of interest

Discover unforgettable places in the city.

points-antlia-description

Casa de las Conchas
This public library is more famous for the buildings history and architecture than it is for the books it holds. And once you see it you’ll understand why. Built in the gothic style to commemorate the relationship between Arias Maldonado and Dona Maria de Pimentel, the façade, decorated with over 300 shells and “flor de lis”,(the symbols of both families) are just a hint as to what you’ll discover inside with it’s majestic stairwell, interior patio and it’s fusion of medieval, gothic and muslim touches makes it a sight to behold.
The Catedral Nueva
New Cathedral its design of principally gothic plan also has neo-classic and baroque detailing. The three domes are decorated with tales of the sea and various marine scenes. Each of these chapels are independent of the other, the Golden Chapel with sacrifice cross and own pews, the Chapel del Santo Cristo de las Batallas with it’s depiction of Christ accompanying Cid to war. The pews arranged on two floors in the main hall, hand carved in walnut are sight to be seen in themselves.
Main Square of Salamanca
On the 15th of August every year the city council raises the Spanish flag with the image of a bull imprinted on it to signal the proximity of the towns annual celebration. This building being the tallest and most decorated in the square also displays on its walls, medals presented to the various kings, saints and heroes that lived here, all of which, tell a story of the towns history.
The square as it stands today was built on top of the original town square, Plaza de San Martin the marketplace and social centre of the city, in the 18th century. The royal pavilion and the pavilion of San Martin were built in 1729 by Alberto Churriguera, in 1755 Andres Garcia de Quinones ordered the remainder of the square to be built, and so it remains the same today.
Salamanca University
The building divided in three distinct structures was erected in the first half of the 16th century and is one of the most important of its kind in Spain. The first of the three structures was converted to a state university by the catholic kings in which there images are displayed. In the second structure the images of Carlos 5th and Isabel of Portugal reigning kings when the façade was built can be seen and in the third part of the university the images of the Pope, Tajana, Cesar, Augusto, Alejandro Magno, Hercules and Venus represent tranquillity, prudence, strength and justice all virtues of a fine emperor.
In this last building you need to look to find luck, which is just what the students here do prior to taking their exams. Another interesting point here are the numerous “vitores” which you can see painted on all of the university buildings. In the past these paintings where done with bulls blood and there were to symbolize the victory of the recently graduated.

Casa de las Conchas
The Catedral Nueva
Main Square of Salamanca
Salamanca University