"Pictures - Architecture an ..." a Salamanca Travel Page by fairy_dust

The University of Salamanca has a lot of old stone buildings with fancy carvings, arcs, etc. This picture is from the Patio de Escuelas Menores. The stone building surrounds a courtyard, and the architecture is typical from Salamanca.

At the Patio de Escuelas at the university, where many of the Spanish language classes for foreign students take place, there is a big wall with all sorts of beautiful carvings. Hidden among the carvings, there is a frog carving which is difficult to find. Apparently, the artist who carved it challenged the king to find it. Legend has it that if a foreign student finds it without help from anyone, he/she will pass all their courses. Are you up to the challenge?

Can you believe that this gorgeous building is actually a military building? I was a little shocked at first too! I've never been inside, but the outside looks more like a museum or historic site rather than something that the military would use!

The Plaza Mayor is the centre of town, and probably the most famous part of town. I think it's also the most famous plaza mayor in Spain (every city in Spain has its own plaza mayor). Built in the Baroque style, it's absolutely beautiful with its carvings and arcs, especially at night when the golden lights make it glow. The "apartments" in it are mostly now offices, but families still live in a few of them. Apparently, the city is waiting for them to move out or die out before turning the remaining apartments into offices.

The plaza has many stores and cafes, and is great to use as a meeting place for a group or reference point since everyone knows where it is. It's always filled with people, but not so crowded that you have to push your way around. It's great for people-watching, starting off a night of clubbing/partying, or relaxing. If you need to study, just sit down at a cafe, order a drink, and study there. And often at night you'll see some buskers, tunas, and other street performers putting on a show. The Plaza Mayor is an absolute must-see in Salamanca.

Scattered in different parts of downtown Salamanca, there are fountains like this one. They're very pretty to look at, and give the city a nice atmosphere. Although it may be tempting in the hot summer heat, I don't think swimming in them is allowed.

The university buildings date back from the Medieval Era, but the inside are totally modern. Many of the summer Spanish classes for foreign students are held in the Edificio Juan de Enzima, and since it has a theatre with a stage, the extracurricular dance classes were held there too. I had my translation class in this building, but I remember it for the dance classes I took.

There are plenty of religious buildings in Salamanca, especially Catholic churches and convents. This one is the convent of San Esteban (Saint Stephen). Susan and I stumbled upon it while exploring the city one afternoon, and since it was beautiful, I took a picture.

Everywhere in Salamanca, you will find buildings with old-fashioned carvings like this. Especially around the Plaza Mayor and the university. You'll also see nests made by storks on top of many of these carvings and buildings.