| | Overview (Source: Frommers) |
204km (126 miles) NW of Madrid, 118km (73 miles) E of Portugal This ancient city, famous for its university founded by Alfonso IX in the early 1200s, is well preserved, with turreted palaces, faded convents, Romanesque churches, and colleges that have attracted scholars from all over Europe. The best way to explore Salamanca is on foot, so arm yourself with a good map (available at the tourist office; see below) and set out to explore. Nearly all the attractions are within walking distance of the Plaza Mayor. In its day, Salamanca was ranked with Oxford, Paris, and Bologna as one of "the four leading lights of the medieval world." Its intellectual life continues to this day, and a large invasion of American students adds to it in summer. The city's population has swelled to 180,000, but a provincial aura lingers. Still a youthful, spirited place because of venerable Salamanca University, the city has been named a World Heritage City by UNESCO, one of six such cities in Spain. Back to Top Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip. Print
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| History (Source: WCities) | Top | The city's name is linked to Greek historians who called it Helmantiké, Hermándica and Salamántica. Alfonso X (The Wise) was the first person to call it Salamanca. It originated as an Iberian military outpost on the hill of San Vicente, still to be seen today in the Verraco Prerromano . The inhabitants were known as the Vacceos, and the women were celebrated for their valor in the face of the Carthaginian general Hannibal in 220 BC. Roman Times Salamanca belonged to Lusitania. The Roman acropolis was built on a cliff above the Tormes River. Today, part of the city wall remains, as well as the Puente Romano (Roman Bridge), along which ran the Ruta de la Plata, a Roman road that linked Mérida and Astorga. The Arabs Salamanca gave itself up to the Muslims in the year 712. The defensive city wall was strengthened, the Mozarab population being relegated outside of it. It was a time of constant fighting with the Astur-Leonese kingdoms. The city became a no-man's land. Repopulation In 1102, Alfonso VI gave his son-in-law, Count Ramón de Borgoña, and his wife Urraca de Castilla the task of repopulating Salamanca. Various groups arrived, and developed their communities around different churches. The Portuguese grouped within the churches of Santo Tomás Cantuariense , San Cristóbal and Sancti Spiritus ; the Torenses within Iglesia de San Julián and San Martín ; the Mozarabs in the church of Santiago ; and the Castilians in those of San Ju
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| How To Get There (Source: WCities) | Top | Getting There: By Air: Salamanca has no international airport. Madrid Barajas Airport is 125 miles away and various trains and buses can take you between the cities. By Bus: Auto-Res ( http://www.auto-res.net/ ), is the leading Spain bus service that offers one of the easiest ways of getting into the city. It is a two and a half hour trip from Madrid. The bus lines also run into other parts of Spain, and even Portugal. By Train: Renfe, ( +34 93 490 1122/ http://www.renfe.es ), Spain's, largest train line, chugs into Salamanca on a daily basis. From Madrid, the trip takes about two hours. The Salamanca station is the end of the train line. Getting Around: On Foot: With all of Salamanca’s premiere attractions all in close proximity, it is perfectly reasonable to spend your day walking without the help of buses or taxis. By Taxi: The taxi drivers in Spain are known for the their honesty, so taking a taxi is especially easy. Also, the fares are not too expensive. Taxi Companies include: Agustin Serrano Taxis ( +34 923 18 8518 ) Radiotaxi Salamanca ( +34 923 25 0000 ) By Bus: City Buses offer efficient and inexpensive transportation throughout the city.
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| What To Do (Source: WCities) | Top | Salamanca is a city of many faces: cultural, monumental, dedicated to the service industry, university-oriented (with two universities and almost 40,000 students) and home to cattle breeders and matadors alike. With the beauty of its characteristic Villamayor sandstone buildings and plenty of nightlife, the city offers something for everyone at any time of day or night. Art Exhibits As a center of culture, the city is home to many forms of artistic expression exhibited at galleries and museums. The most important of these, such as San Eloy , which holds the best national and international collections, and La Salina , are all well-known for their dedication to promoting art in the city. Other important venues include the Patio de Escuelas and the Varrón , Galería Reyes Católicos and Ateneo galleries. But without doubt, Salamanca´s greatest works of art can be found along the streets in the Old Quarter, lined with monumental buildings made from golden Villamayor sandstone. You could spend hours just contemplating Plaza Mayor or the domes of either the New Cathedral or the Old Cathedral . Then there is Casa de las Conchas , housing the municipal library, the Clerecía (or Espíritu Santo Church), the famous Universidad de Salamanca façade with its much-sought-after frog, and the Universidad Pontificia . Other must-visits include the collection of dolls and curious objects found in the Museo Art Nouveau y Art Decó -housed in the beautif
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