Salamanca - World Heritage Site in Spain
The ancient city of Salamanca is an architectural gem of Northern Spain. Situated on the elevated Spanish plain of Meseta, the city is a collage of spires and warm-colored stonework that pushes up into the skies above. It is a friendly and welcoming place and very cosmopolitan too - Salamanca's two universities bringing international youth and Spanish history together like no other town in Spain.
The old city of Salamanca was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Amongst some of the 'must sees' are the University of Salamanca, the House of Shells (Mansion Casa de las Conchas), the Roman Bridge and the city's two cathedrals. It is a march through the annals of time like no other.
The University of Salamanca itself was founded in 1218 by Alphonse IX, and is today treasured as the 6th oldest university in Europe. Alphonse X (Alphonse the Learned) is credited with bringing the university wealth & reputation in the years that followed, establishing it as a great seat of learning in the Middle Ages. The stone carvings on the exterior of the University are simply breathtaking, while in the old library are manuscripts dating back to the 11th century.
Close by to the University is the magnificent House of Shells. One of the most photographed mansions in Spain this modest building of the 15th century is a uniting of Gothic, Arabic and Classical Italian styles over which 350 shell carvings dominate. In the same street are many other impressive buildings including 16th century palaces and renaissance-style palaces.
To the west of the city is the mightily impressive Roman Bridge that crosses the River Tormes. The bridge is 500ft long and displays twenty-six arches, fifteen of which are original to the Roman era. Between the bridge and the University can be found the two cathedrals - Catedral Vieja and Catedral Nueva.
Getting There
Salamanca is well served by the Spanish road and rail network. The nearest international airport is at Valladolid, which is less than an hour's drive from the northeast. Alternatively Madrid International Airport provides a more scenic route to Salamanca, the road network taking you over the great Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range that separates these two cities. Car hire can be booked in advance for pick up at Madrid or Valladolid through http://www.your-carhire.com
Seb Jay is a freelance writer specializing in the origination of web content for http://www.your-carhire.com
