Salamanca is the capital of the province of the same name in the autonomous region of Castilla y León, where it is situated on the River Tormes. It is the setting for one of the oldest universities in Spain (hence the proverb “What nature doesn't supply, Salamanca doesn't provide”) and is known for its fine architectural heritage built of the golden stone of Villamayor. The city was founded as a Vaccean fortress in the 8th century B.C. with the name of Salmantica, and was known by Hannibal 's Carthaginian conquerors as Helmantiké. During the Roman occupation it was an important communication centre thanks to the ford that formed next to the river, which was crossed by one of the most important roads in the empire, the Vía de la Plata. The Romans were succeeded by the Alani, the Visigoths, and the Muslims, who arrived in 712 led by Musa ibn Nusair. After several Christian conquests and reconquests, Salamanca again became part of the Kingdom of Castilla y León after the battle of Simancas in 939, and acquired great cultural importance with the founding of its university in 1255 by King Alfonso IX. In 1988 it was named a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO and is one of the most important places in the world for the teaching of Spanish. Population: 155.740

Tourist Information: Castilla & Leon Tourist Office, Rúa Mayor, 70 - Shells' House ( 923 26 85 71). Open on summer daily from 9:30 to 20:00 and on winter from Monday to Saturday from 9:30 to 14:00 & Sunday from 9:30 to 17:00. Salamanca Tourist Office, Plaza Mayor, 32 ( 923 27 24 08). Open Monday to Friday 9:00 to 14:00 & 16:30 to 20:00, Saturday 10:00 to 20:00 & Sunday to 10:00 to 14:00. From June 1st to September 30th there are tourist counters in bus station (Filiberto Villalobos, 71) and train station (plaza de la Estación). More information at www.aytosalamanca.es

Weather: Salamanca has a continental weather with warm summers and cold winters. During the summer months, the temperature oscilates between 25 and 30º C (77 and 86º F). The winter is usually very cold, with ocasional bottoms of -10ºC. This is the current weather:

Telephones: Salamanca code number is 923, even necessary for local calls. For international calls dial 00 plus the country code you wish to call. Public telephones works with coins and prepaid cards on sale at newsagents. For telephone information dial 11888 or 11822.

Airport: Matacan Airport - SLM ( 923 32 96 00) is 15 km from the city on kilometer 79,800 in road N-501, used both for military and charter flights. Taxi fare to the city center cost about 15 €.

Train Station: RENFE Station, Paseo de la Estación ( 902 24 02 02 / 923 12 02 02). There is also a halt in Av. Alamedilla, next to the city center, where some trains stop. There are 6 RENFE trains to Madrid every day (19.10 € / trip takes 2h 50min).

Bus Station: Av. Filiberto Villalobos, 71-85 ( 923 23 67 17). Autores buses to Madrid every 30-60 minutes from 7:00 to 22:00 to Madrid South Bus Station. Trip takes 3h 15min or 2h 30min with express service.

Public Transport: Salamanca de Transportes - ST is the company who runs the 13 bus lines from 7:15 to 23:30 every 10-30 minutes. There are also a night service between Gran Vía-Filiberto Villalobos and Buenos Aires from 0:00 to 3:00 every hour. Single ticket cost 0.95 € and there is a bonobús rechargeable card in 5 € units, with a deposit of 2 €, which allows 10 trips with every surcharge of 5 €. A bus-ciudad card allows unlimited trips every month at 19.25 €. Information in Plaza Mercado, 7 ( 923 21 62 43) and Gran Vía, 4 ( 923 21 28 29).

Taxis: Daily fare applies Monday to Friday from 7:00 to 23:00, with a start fare of 2.50 € and 0.45 € each kilometre in long distance trips (over 20 km). Night fare applies Monday to Friday from 23:00 to 7:00 and 24 hours Saturday and bank days, with a start fare of 3.50 € and 0.63 € each kilometre in long distance trips. Suitcase supplement 0.40 €. Teletaxi, 923 25 00 00.

Parking: Street parking is controlled by parking meters which operate Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00 & 16:00 to 20:00 and Saturday 9:00 to 14:00. Parking price is 0.25 €, 0.50 €, 0.70 € & 1.80 € for 22 & 43 minutes, 1 & 2 hours each.

Emergencies: All the emergencies: 112;Medical Service: 061; Local Police: 092; National Police: 091.

Medical Assistance: Hospital Clínico Universitario, Paseo de San Vicente, 58-182 ( 923 29 11 00). Spanish Red Cross, Glorieta de la Cruz Roja, 1 ( 923 22 10 32).

Pharmacies: Galván Prat, Zamora, 73 (open Monday to Sunday from 9:30 to 22:00). Amador Felipe, Plaza Liceo, 21 (open Monday to Sunday from9:15 to 22:00). Liceo, Toro, 25. Palomero-Gil, San Justo, 16. Mª José Rodríguez Torres, Prior, 12. Estella Hoyos Pura, Poeta Iglesias, 21. Alonso Burón, Paseo Canalejas, 117.

Restaurants: El Bardo, Compañía, 8 ( bus 3, 4 & 9). Noisy restaurant located close to Casa de las Conchas and frequented by students and tourists. They offer very good tapas and "tostas", that could be eaten at the bar or at the tables on the lower floor. Restaurante Arzobispo Fonseca, Fonseca, 4 ( bus 5, 6, 10 & 11). Located in one of the reception rooms of a hall of residence, decorated with a wooden coffered ceiling. They offer daily menus menús at a reasonable price and a pretty good service too. Jero, Meléndez, 11 ( bus 3, 4 & 9). The ideal place to eat some "pinchos" and portions, with affordable prices. La Posada, Aire y Azucena, 1 ( bus 2, 3, 5, 8 & 9). Castilian cuisine in a restaurant decorated in a traditional style. Don Bustos, Plaza del Campillo, 18 ( bus 2, 9, 11 & 13). The place for great events and celebrations. They offer basque cuisine and great main dishes, among which the "merluza a la bilbaína" and "bacalao al pil pil" stand out. La Parrilla de la Calleja, Ventura Ruiz de Aguilera, 7 ( bus 2, 3, 4, 5 y& 8). Specialized in grilled and sailor cuisine. Perfect for eating fishes and seafood. Restaurante Valencia, Concejo, 15 ( bus 2, 3, 5 & 9). They offer traditional cuisine with a touch of modern cookery, standing out the "cocochas de merluza" the "solomillo de Morucha" and the "rabo de toro". El Candil, Ventura Ruiz de Aguilera, 14 ( bus 2, 3, 4, 5 & 8). The suckling porks of its shop window are an attraction for University students, which enjoy its ellaborated Castilian cuisine. La Olla, Plaza del Peso, 8 ( bus 3, 4 & 5). Castilian and mediterranean cuisine, its said to be one of the most imaginative ones of Salamanca. La Dehesa El Oso y El Madroño, Plaza del Angel, 1 ( bus 3, 4 & 5). Probably its croutons and suckling pigs are the better ones of the city. They offer Castilian cuisine with an innovative touch. Le Sablon, Espoz y Mina, 20 ( bus 2, 3, 5 & 9). Imaginative menu with french-belgian roots, suitable for a well-served, romantic dinner. Be sure to leave room for one of the chocolate desserts.

Cafés: La Regenta, Espoz y Mina, 25 ( bus 2, 3, 5 & 9). Coffee-pub with literary ambience that helds and anual literary contest and a classic costumes party. Bécquer, Plaza de San Marcos ( bus 2, 5 y 9). The variety of coffees and milkshakes, as well as the comfort of its basket chairs made this coffee a good place for enjoying the evenings. Cum Laudem, Prior, 5-7 ( bus 3, 4 & 5). Its spectacular decoration, an imitation of Salamanca's plaza Mayor, make this place on of the essentials of Salamanca's evenings. Its proximity to the real square and its ambientation attracts daily customers that come to have a coffee or just a nice chat. Las Torres, Plaza Mayor, 26 ( bus 3, 4 & 5). The old café of the Petit Palace Hotel, right in the plaza Mayor, its a place visited by culture personalities and where they frequently held gatherings and exhibitions. Novelty, Plaza Mayor, 2 ( bus 3, 4 & 5). Probably one of the cafés with more history of Salamanca, due to its date of foundation in 1905. Through its pedestal tables they have passed all the famous characters which have lived in the city, being nowadays no less distinguished the customers that dare to pay its high prices. In summer they open an artisan ice cream bar that has a permanent queue.

Pubs & Clubs: El Gran Café Moderno, Gran Vía, 75 ( bus 2, 3, 4 & 5). An original pub that recreates the square of a village. During the day it's a quiet café where you could spend a relaxed evening, and in the night it becomes a crowdy discoteque with live performances and a lot of music from the eighties. Country, Arco de la Lapa, 5 ( bus 3, 4 & 9). Another original pub decorated with mosaics which play homage to Gaudí. Specialized, as its name makes out, in rock music. Its cocktails, served in huge cups, are very refreshing in the nights of Salamanca. The Irish Rover, Rúa Antigua, 11 ( bus 3, 4 & 9). In such an international city as Salamanca, it couldn't be missed the reference Irish pub, where Erasmus and tourists of all the world attend every night. La Hacienda, Bordadores, 4 ( bus 2, 3 & 9). Decorated in imitation of a theatre. They offer commercial music, cocktails and shots for everyone. Camelot, Bordadores, 3 ( bus 2, 3 & 9). Discoteque for night birds in the old dining room of what used to be a convent. Stone, iron and a sober style to dress up a five meter tall place. Klimt Gallery, Iscar Peyra, 30 ( bus 2, 3 & 9). Brother place of Camelot, located just 100 meters away. After passing under the dragon of its front, you gain access to a space consisting in three areas with diferent ambiences. Kandhavia, Bermejeros, 18 ( bus 2, 3, 4 & 5). Discoteque decorated with witchcraft motifs. They also offer ballroom classes during the afternoons.

Gay venues: La Galería, Pizarro, 49 ( bus 5, 9 & 12). Alternative ambience in the north of the city. Miranda Bar, San Mateo, 5 ( bus 2, 3, 5 & 9). Nice pub located in a commercial area. They also offer tapas and portions. Sarao, Paseo de los Carmelitas, 11-21 ( bus 2, 5 & 9). Its said to be the more lively gay pub in Salamanca. El Carmen, Cuesta del Carmen, 9 ( bus 5, 6, 10 & 11). Pub for girls with good vibrations and a lot of spanish music.

Times changes, timetables and prices vary continuously, attractions that were once interesting are no longer so a year later, and others that were not even mentioned become a must in no time. For this reason, at infoidiomas.com we are always updating and we would be grateful if our clients would tell us about details and information that has become obsolete. We will acknowledge them by publishing their names in future editions.

Main Square

Every tour of Salamanca should start in the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), located at the heart of the city where all the main streets converge. Designed by the architect Alberto Churriguera, construction started on the Plaza back in 1755. The Plaza's major buildings are the Ayuntamiento (Salamanca Town Hall) and the Pabellón Real (Royal Pavillion), located just above the Arco del Toro (Bull Arch). Leaving the Plaza towards the south and taking the Rúa Mayor, you will reach the Casa de las Conchas (House of Shells) on the corner of the Calle de la Compañía. Built in 1493 for Rodrigo Maldonado, the building is a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles. Maldonado's son had the building decorated with shells symbolic of his wife's lineage ( bus 3, 4 & 9; Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 21:00, Saturday and Sunday 9:00 to 14:00 & 17:00 to 20:00; free). Located on a street that runs parallel to the Rúa Mayor, the Calle de San Pablo, is the Palacio de la Salina (Salina Palace), a building from the XVI century which owes its name to the fact that for many years it was used as a storage facility for salt, in Spanish sal ( daily from 11:00 to 23:00; free).

Anaya College

Opposite the Casa de las Conchas is the Holy Spirit church, better known as the Clerecía, which was built by Juan Gómez de Mora in 1617 for the Jesuit order, and next is the Universidad Pontificia (Pontifical University), a building with a baroque cloister built on the site which formerly housed the Royal College of the Jesuit Order ( Monday to Friday from 10:30 to 12:45 & 17:00 to 18:30, Saturday 10:00 to 13:20 & 17:00 to 19:15 and Sunday 10:00 to 13:00; 3 €). Returning to the Rúa Mayor and following it to the end, you will find the Plaza de Anaya (Anaya Square). Located along the sides of this square are some of the city's most representative buildings, such as the Colegio de Anaya (Anaya College), with its neoclassical façade, Iglesia de San Esteban (Saint Stephen's Church), designed by Churriguera; Hospedería de Anaya (Anaya Student's Hospice), with a central patio also designed by Churriguera; the New Cathedral, designed by Juan Campero in 1513 ( daily from 9:00 to 19:30; free); and the Old Cathedral, which with its remarkable Torre del Gallo (Rooster Tower) was built in a late Romanesque style starting in 1140 (the entrance for the Old Cathedral is located inside the New Cathedral; daily from 10:00 to 19:30; 4.75 €). In the square that runs between the two cathedrals, known as the Patio Chico, concerts and theatrical events are held during the summer.

Next to the Patio Chico -in calle del Expolio, 14- is the Art Nouveau and Art Decó Museum ( bus 3, 4 & 9; Tuesday to Friday from 11:00 to 14:00 & 17:00 to 21:00, Saturday & Sunday 11:00 to 21:00; adults 3 €, students 2 €, free on Thursday from 11:00 to 14:00), and the Palacio Episcopal (Bishop's Palace), located in the Plaza de Juan XXIII. Adjacent to the Palacio del Obispo is the University of Salamanca, alma mater of such personalities as Miguel de Unamuno, Fray Luis de León, Jovellanos, Meléndez Valdés and Tierno Galván, among others. The University is famous for its monumental façade, the inner cloister, the old library and the classrooms named after Fray Luis de León and Unamuno ( Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 13:30 & 16:00 to 19:00, Saturday 9:30 to 13:30, Sunday 10:00 to 13:00; adults 4 €, students 2 €, free on Monday morning). Opposite the University -in Patio de Escuelas, 2- is the Salamanca Museum or Museo de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Museum), housed in a Gothic-Renaissance building ( Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00 & 16:00 to 19:00, Sunday 10:00 to 14:00; 1.20 €), and next to the University -in Libreros, 25- is the Casa Museo de Unamuno (Unamuno Museum), located in the building where the former Univeristy president (1900-1914) used to live ( Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 to 13:30 & 16:00 to 18:00, Saturday & Sunday 10:00 to 13:30; adults 3 €, students 1.50 €).

View of the Cathedral from Tormes river

Ornament in Puerta de Ramos of the New Cathedral

After crossing the Puerta del Río (River Gate) and the Calvario monument towards the south, you'll get to the Roman Bridge. Fifteeen of the bridge´s arches date from the period of Roman occupation. Next at the right -in plaza del Mercado Viejo- the Museo de la Historia de la Automoción (Automobile History Museum) offers a big collection of old vehicles ( bus 1, 6, 9 & 13; Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00 & 17:00 to 20:00; adults 3 €, students 2 €). Heading back towards the Cathedral is the Huerto de Calixto y Melibea, a garden where tradition tells us the death of the two unfortunate lovers took place ( daily from 10:00 till late; free). Behind the Cathedral -in Cuesta de Carvajal- is the Cueva de Salamanca (Salamanca Cave), the site of a greatest Salamanca legend, and also the Marques de Villena Tower, with walls that are part of the old medieval wall that once surrounded the city (see side note; bus 3, 4 & 9; Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 to 22:00, Friday & Saturday 9:30 to 23:00; free). Back at the Casa de las Conchas, if you head down the Calle Compañía you will find the Solís and Maldonado manor homes, both of which represent noble residences of the XVI century; San Benito church and the Agustinas church, the latter of which was designed by the Napolitan architect Bartolomeo Pichatti; and then the Palacio de Monterrey, built by Gil de Hontañón and Pedro de Ybarra during the XVI century. Next to the Palacio de Monterrey is the Capilla de los Capuchinos (Capuchine Chapel), with its baroque façade; and further up the street -in plaza de Fonseca, 4- is the Colegio del Arzobispo Fonseca (Archbishop Fonseca College), which during the XVI century was used as a center for Irish students to stay in Salamanca ( bus 5, 6, 10 & 11; daily from 10:00 to 13:30 & 16:00 to 19:00; adults 2 €, students 1 €). Just opposite the San Francisco park is the Veracruz chapel and the Convento de Santa Ursula ( Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 13:00 & 16:30 to 18:00; 2 €). Again towards the south, you will find the modern Convention Center, crowned by an emblematic concrete dome designed by Juan Navarro Baldeweg. Located east of the Plaza de Anaya, in Plaza del Concilio de Trento is the Dominican Convento e iglesia de San Esteban ( daily from 910:00 to 13:15 & 16:00 to 19:15; adults 3 €, students 2 €) and Convento de las Dueñas -in plaza del Concilio de Trento- a convent built in the XV century atop a Mudejar palace ( daily from 11:00 to 12:45 & 16:30 to 18:45; adults 2 €, students 1 €).

Ciudad Rodrigo Cathedral

If we take the A-62 dual carriageway west out of Salamanca, after 87 kilometres we come to Ciudad Rodrigo, the historic city centre of which has been declared of historical and artistic interest thanks to its rich heritage of both religious and civil buildings. Highlights include the city walls built in the 12th century with the Puerta del Sol and the Puerta de Santiago, and the Plaza Mayor with buildings such as the Casa del Primer Marqués de Cerralbo, the Town Hall, and the Cathedral, the construction of which dates from the 12th century. Other notable monuments include the Puerta de las Cadenas, the Capilla Mayor (Main Chapel) with a vault by Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón, and the Diocesan Museum. The Herrera-style Capilla del Marqués de Cerralbo, which is near the Cathedral, preserves important altarpieces in its interior.