"SALAMANCA....." Salamanca Travelogue by eden_teuling

its language, its people its brillant sunshine, its life style, could it be possible that in a former life I was born in Spain ??!!!

Ah, we are there, dusty from the long drive: you can see the outline of the City dear ancient Salamanca, sooooo special and close to my heart.

Hotel : unbelievable, lovely: on the PLAZA itself, this time: a royal place to stay, with a view from the balcony over THE PLAZA, where life is lived!!! where the day's events, sad or happy ones, are talk over.

Our room was on the 2nd floor, 2nd window left of the impressive Gates.

This is the place to communicate with family and friends, while walking the square in circles, for hours on end isn't that called: mooching about?

MY HOTEL ABOVE THE FAMOUS SQUARE......

When there, we couldn't do but watch all these comings and goings from Salamanca's people and, well to be honest, one afternoon I could not resist the temptation, went downstairs and walked "my circles", wanting to get to know the feeling and wanting to be one of them, for some time.

It was a very, very pleasant experience. A little group of musicians appeared, the beautiful lanterns shed their light and again, it was an evening never to forget.

ALWAYS CARRY YOUR CAMERA....ALSO IN THE EVENING...

After a hot day it is so refreshing to go for a walk outside Salamanca.

But wherever you walk: you can see the wonderful buildings of this old, adorable city and then, never going anywhere without a camera: this photo had to be taken.
Imagine the sweet evening air, your experiences of that day, your reflections on this town, yes, it definitely is one of Spain's gems.

See the shadows in the water??!!

SILHOUETTE OF SALAMANCA BY EVENING...

There we are, dusty from travelling, car on the inside and on the outside covered in red dust, red is the most beautiful colour ot the earth here: such a special red, that I can't give it a name, but it is wonderful (I have some bottles filled with it on my window sill at home, but it doesn't flourish in Holland: it lacks sunshine, the Spanish sunshine.

Here, see the outline of the city: night and a heavy shower are coming nearer and nearer,but we can go to our safe haven.

S/he who has good eyes will be able to see the silhouette of a stork on the tower, left.
We were so lucky that a couple of storks had chosen this place in front of our room to build their nest.

It was great to see them take off and touch down , wings widely spread, to feed their offspring.
My daughter and I, well we felt just happy there.

THE OLD CATHEDRAL...

This old cathedral consists of numerous cloisters and chapels with most wonderful vaulting, sculptures, altars, tombs, paintings too much to describe every one of them. My advice is: have a knowledable guide and let yourself being shown the way to the most important pieces and places because otherwise it could be overwhelming!

In one of the rooms of the Diocesan Museum is a noteworthy panelled ceiling done in the Mudejar-Renaissance style exclusively dedicated to Salamanca's greatest painter Fernando Gallegos, 15th Century!
The collection is of such extraordinary merit that it would be difficult to find another one of equal importance.

There also is a

MUSICAL ANGEL IN THE OLD CATHEDRAL...

I always feel attracted by very colourful paintings like this one: an angel who is playing an old musical instrument.

This painting is also in the Old Cathedral!

Do enjoy her/him.......

PATIO DE LA CASA DE LAS CONCHAS....

CONCHAS MEANS shell.

In front of the Church CLERETIA is the casa de las Conchas, 15th Century, considered to be the most representative monument of the civil art of the Catholic Monarchs.
It belonged to Doctor Talavera Maldonado who was a Knight of Santiago and so he had the façades decorated with conchas or SCALLOP SHELLS like the ones of Santiago.
Extremely interesting are the decorations of the doors and windows, with grilles among the finest in Spanish Gothic and tha PATIO (WHICH YOU SEE HERE) with its double gallery, another example of the well known arches of Salamanca, having parapets around the balconies which are very original!!

THESE KINGS COULD ADMIRE THE NEWBORN BABY JESUS...

THE NEW CATHEDRAL, begun in 1513 was finished in 1733!! Imagine you never would see the building you worked on your entire life finished!!!!!

I really love this bas-relief / basso-relievo: the adoration of the newborn baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men coming from the East.

They had followed the Star and arrived there with their gifts !!