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Top Rated Attractions in Salamanca

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This convent with plateresque entrance, originally a Mudejar palace, was founded by Juana Rodriguez de Maldonado in 1533 and now belongs to Dominican nuns. It's located at the end of the Gran Via. Inside there is a very attractive courtyard, a jewel of Spanish Renaissance architecture, with its pentagonal shape. In the Renaissance cloister there are some very beautiful Moorish doors. You really ought to try the delicious amarguillos and other kinds of sweets made by the nuns.

Plaza Mayor

Built between 1729 and 1755, the square is the city's central attraction, a masterpiece of Spanish Baroque architecture. Behind the impressive arches, there are numerous bars and cafés with terraces in the summer to enjoy daily city life passing by. It's an asymmetrical square surrounded by three floors of buildings with symmetrical balconies above 88 semi-circular arches supported by solid stone pillars. The Royal Pavilion and the town hall are located here. There are decorative moldings that depict famous people who are related to the city.

Ieronimus

The next time you visit the New Cathedral of Salamanca, a visit to the Ieronimus is a must. It is a permanent exhibition from where one can witness the vistas of the surrounding area by climbing to the towers. The towers of the cathedral are an important landmark and rich in architecture. They can be seen from afar. You can behold the magnificence of the cathedral alongwith being rewarded with breath-taking views of the surrounding city as you make your way up the staircase.

New Cathedral of Salamanca

The sense of space, harmony and light created by the enormous height of the naves is what makes the interior so special. There are three naves and 14 chapels in total. The most impressive chapels are the Capilla Dorada (golden chapel), Todos los Santos (All Saints) and Nuestra Señora de la Soledad (Our Lady of Suffering), with its statue by Mariano Benlliure and altarpiece by Churriguera. Gil de Hontañón, J. de Alava, the Churriguera brothers and Sagarvinaga were some of the important architects involved in the construction of this building between 1513 and 1733.

University of Salamanca

The plateresque façade of Universidad de Salamanca is widely known and admired. The filigree work contains symbolic imagery associated with numerous legends. The university's treasures include fabulous tapestries in the central hall, staircases with plateresque reliefs, paintings by Juan de Flandes in the high gallery and one of Europe's first university libraries.

Convento de San Esteban

Convento de San Esteban's plateresque façade is simply magnificent, resembling a richly decorated altar piece. The most outstanding of its stone-carved reliefs features the image of San Esteban himself by Ceroni. Through the Renaissance-style gateway you come to the Gothic-style royal cloisters and inside the monastery you'll find a splendid baroque altar piece by José de Churriguera. Domingo de Soto, Francisco de Vitoria and Christopher Columbus, among others, are believed to have spent time here.

More Attractions

Convento de la Madre de Dios

Calle del Prado 10, Salamanca, Spain, 37002

This convent belonging to the Franciscan order is located on the way down one of the city's most emblematic street-Calle de la Compañía. The famous Spanish writer, philospher and academic, Miguel de Unamuno, used to walk down here most days as do many students still. The building's austere façade is lightened by an attractive vaulted niche holding an image of Our Lady. It's worth looking in the church that forms part of the convent to see the door flanked by elegant pilasters with Ionic capitals. The convent is not open to the public.

Convento del Corpus Christi

Ronda del Corpus 48, Salamanca, Spain, 37002

When you are looking for peaceful contemplation, and find yourself near Casa de Santa Teresa, you will find this Franciscan convent which is worth a visit to see the lovely plateresque entrance to the church. It's a Mudéjar Renaissance style entrance, of the kind which was used for the entrances to churches in the Middle Ages, where you can admire the medallions (decorative relief mouldings) of martyrs and the anagram of Mary with vegetable motifs. Inside, the main altar and the side altars are in plain pine, and the 16th century statue of the Virgen de la Leche is worth a look. Admission: free. Groups by prior arrangement.

Iglesia del Carmen

Plaza de los Bandos, Salamanca, Spain, 37002

This pretty 17th-century church, which stands on the site of an old school belonging to the Carmelitas Descalzos (Barefoot Carmelite) order of nuns, is located in a big square close to the Plaza Mayor, among palaces and stately homes. The simple façade is a copy of the church of Santa Teresa de Avila, and has the same kind of bell-towers. Inside, if you like baroque-style wood, you'll enjoy looking at the magnificent main altar, flanked by niches with valuable statues of Saint Teresa and Saint Joseph, from the 17th and 18th centuries respectively.

Galeria Benito Esteban

Santa Clara 5, Salamanca, Spain, 37001

Head to Galeria Benito Esteban for a walk through of some of the most extraordinary works of art. A place brimming with beauty and inspiration, this gallery focuses on displaying modern works by contemporary artists mainly from the Castlile and León regions. From classic canvas paintings, to photography and sculpture, the walls of this gallery are graced with works by some of the nations most talented artists.

Fachada de la Universidad

c/ de los Libreros 30, Salamanca, Spain, 37008

Casa Museo de Unamuno

Calle de los Libreros 25, Salamanca, Spain, 37008

This house was built in 1758 and it was the residence of Salamanca University's rectors. Here Miguel de Unamuno, the famous writer and philosopher from the Basque Country, lived from 1900 until 1914. Unamuno worked first as a professor of Greek and later as university rector. He was one of the most remarkable of modern Spanish thinkers. In this museum, you can visit the office and library containing more than 6000 books and manuscripts belonging to him. There is a 20min guided tour available. Moreover, researchers who want to study Unamuno's works and life will find that there are facilities available for this endeavor.