Salamanca university

Getty Images/Flickr Open

Universidad Civil

Salamanca


Founded initially as the Estudio General in 1218, the university reached the peak of its renown in the 15th and 16th centuries. The visual feast of the entrance facade is a tapestry in sandstone, bursting with images of mythical heroes, religious scenes and coats of arms. It's dominated by busts of Fernando and Isabel. Behind the facade, the highlight of an otherwise-modest collection of rooms lies upstairs: the extraordinary university library, the oldest in Europe.

Containing some 2800 manuscripts gathering dust, the library is a real cemetery of forgotten books. Note the fine late-Gothic features and beautiful techumbre (carved wooden ceiling).

Among the small lecture rooms arranged around the courtyard downstairs, the Aula de Fray Luis de León was named after the celebrated 16th-century theologian and writer whose statue adorns the Patio de las Escuelas Menores outside. Arrested by the Inquisition for having translated the 'Song of Solomon' into Spanish, the sardonic theologian returned to his class after five years in jail and resumed lecturing with the words, 'As I was saying yesterday…'

The Escalera de la Universidad (University Staircase) that connects the two floors has symbols carved into the balustrade, seemingly of giant insects having a frolic with several bishops – to decode them was seen as symbolic of the quest for knowledge.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Salamanca attractions

1. Museo de Salamanca

0.04 MILES

Housed in the former residence of Queen Isabel's doctor, this museum is more interesting for the picture of tranquil Salamanca residential life in its…

2. Cielo de Salamanca

0.05 MILES

The main (and only) attraction here is the beautiful pale-blue ceiling fresco of the zodiac, which was painted in the 15th century and uncovered during…

3. Catedral Nueva

0.05 MILES

The tower of this late-Gothic cathedral lords over the city centre, its compelling Churrigueresque (an ornate style of baroque architecture) dome visible…

4. Ieronimus

0.07 MILES

For fine views over Salamanca, head to the tower at the southwestern corner of the Catedral Nueva's facade. From here, stairs lead up through the tower,…

5. Catedral Vieja

0.08 MILES

The Catedral Nueva's largely Romanesque predecessor, the Catedral Vieja is adorned with an exquisite 15th-century altarpiece, one of the finest outside…

6. Real Clerecía de San Marcos

0.09 MILES

Visits to this colossal baroque church and the attached Catholic university are via obligatory guided tours (in Spanish), which run every 45 minutes. You…

7. Casa de las Conchas

0.12 MILES

One of the city's most endearing buildings, Casa de las Conchas is named after the 300 scallop shells clinging to its facade. The house's original owner,…

8. Museo de Art Nouveau y Art Decó

0.13 MILES

Utterly unlike any other Salamanca museum, this stunning collection of sculpture, paintings and art deco and art nouveau pieces inhabits a beautiful,…