Salamanca is a Spanish city located in the Autonomous Community of Castile and León, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Salamanca is a city that sees a large influx of foreign students especially during the summer, who come to the Spanish city to learn Spanish, but also many Erasmus students. The University of Salamanca is the oldest in Spain, which, together with those of Oxford, Cambridge, Paris and Bologna, is one of the oldest in all of Europe.The city is not very big, but it is very cheerful and full of meeting places where the university population mixes with tourists, giving a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Salamanca it is also known for its artistic wealth: cathedrals, convents, palaces, cloisters, churches, which bring together styles such as Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque in one place.
Located on the banks of the Tormes river, it has the appearance of a medieval city, with narrow streets and charming corners. The Roman bridge, offers a suggestive view of the river and the surrounding valley.
The monumental Plaza Mayor it is the beating heart of the city and under its portico, full of shops and cafes, tourists and students meet.
The shops in the center are concentrated mainly along the Rua Mayor a pedestrian area leading to the Casa de las Conchas, whose facade is decorated with over 400 sculpted shells, a symbol of pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
For the uninitiated, Salamanca is also the city of hidden curiosities. In fact, among its symbols there is the famous frog depicted above a skull on the facade of the historic University. Tradition has it that it brings luck to those who can identify it, in particular to students who have to take exams or graduate.
Another hidden curiosity is a bas-relief depicting a sculpted astronaut on the facade of the New Cathedral, which is said to have been added during the recent restoration work.
For those looking for the tradition of this beautiful city, you shouldn't miss it Fiesta de la Virgen de la Vega (September 8). Throughout the week the main squares become a gigantic stage where events, traditional music concerts and current groups, performances and re-enactments take place. In short, a city that has not forgotten its traditions, but at the same time modern and open, a city on a human scale enchants with its precious historical and artistic heritage.
