You need at least a several days stay in Salamanca to get a complete idea about the Spanish university life and to enjoy the full sequence in the architectural development in Spain. The university is among the oldest ones in Europe, it has been founded in the far 1218. During the centuries this lively city doesn't stop to progress and today the students and the constant flow of tourists and people come here to learn Spanish language create a cosmopolitan atmosphere, while in the same time the old traditions are well preserved.

The Romans founded the first city on this place. It was called Helmantica. A beautiful bridge was built over the River Tormes, which is preserved even until present day. The medieval town first occurred in the written sources in 1102. It was located on the steep northern river bank. Using the soft stone from the nearby quarries, which exposed to sun light change its colour to incredible golden yellow due to high content of iron ore, the local nobility built the architectural wonder of the medieval city centre

The city's heart is Plaza Mayor, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. First you can sit in any of the open-air cafes around it to fully feel its majesty. The square was designed in the 20s of 18th century by Alberto Churriguera and constructed by Andrés García de Quiñones in the following years. Don not miss the sculpture portrays of Christopher Columbus, El Cid, Miguel de Cervantes and several kings of Spain. At night Plaza Mayor turns into a scene, predominated by travelling musicians and other street artists.

The major city sights are concentrated to the west and south from Plaza Mayor. The amazing Casa de Las Conchas or the House of the Shells is very often photographed by the visitors, thanks to its unrivalled beauty. A former palace, it is now the city’s public library. The sone Renaissance façade is decorated with 400 shells in relief, symbolizing the pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. In the enclosed atrium of the house you can see sculptured balustrades and lion heads.

Most shops and fashion boutiques in Salamanca are located along the pedestrian Rua Mayor. It leads directly to the Cathedral which raises over the spacious Plaza de Anaya. If you turn and walk along any of the side streets you will fall into the past. In fact the huge cathedral consists of two neighbour churches: La Catedral Nueva (The New Cathedral) and La Catedral Vieja (The Old Cathedral). Entering the decorative Renaissance façade you will first find yourself in the New Cathedral first. It was built in 1513 and the later reconstructions create a unique combination of different styles, from late Gothic and Renaissance to Plateresque and Baroque. The tremendous size is very impressive. You will fee as an ant under the raising sculptured arches, the tall columns and the richly decorated choir stall, worked out by the brothers Churriguera. The cathedral keeps one of the most famous organs in Spain, dating back to 1745. Behind the main altar is the most honourable statue of Christ from the 11th century. You can not miss the El Patio Chico, accessible through a door in the southern nave. The patio offers scenic panoramic view of the Old Cathedral, the dome and the Baroque tower of the New Cathedral.

The entrance to La Catedral Vieja is also from the southern nave. Entering its quiet Romanesque interior you will immediately feel the strong contradistinction. Stone columns will lead your eyes to an early Renaissance altar piece. It consists of 53 panels incrusted with episodes from the life of Jesus Christ and Virgin Mary, a work by the early 15th-century Italian artist Dello Delli. The panels surround a gilt statue of La Virgen, the patron saint of Salamanca. This statue, like the entire Old Cathedral, dates back to the 12th century. The wall paintings by Anton Sanchez de Segovia are from 1262, being among the oldest authors medieval art works in Europe. The beautiful dome over the transept is remarkable too. Do not miss the gallery, a part of which in Romanesque style, and the Capilla de Talavera with its amazing mudejar dome.

Walking in south-east direction from the cathedrals, among the "burning" Salamanca's buildings, you will reach in few minutes Convento de san Esteban. Its façade is a marvellous stone work in Plateresque style, dating back to 16th century. In its brightly-lit interior your eyes will be caught by the tremendous altar piece, which surrounds paintings depicting scenes from San Sebastian's martyrdom. They can be best seen from the high choir stall, accessible through the royal gallery with Gothic, Renaissance and Plateresque elements, as well as remarkable medallions with images of the prophets. Along the splendid broad staircase you can go upstairs to the other gallery and the library, where are exposed exquisite 17th-century ivory statues, brought from the Philippines.

The neighbour Convento de las Duñas is smaller and the most interesting thing in it is the beautiful Renaissance gallery. The Dominican nuns still live in the monastery and make good business selling their home-made pastries. The grating windows of their cells can be seen from the well kept garden in the gallery. Near the monastery is located the octagonal tower Torre del Clavero, the only survived part of medieval castle with traces of sumptuous mudejar decoration.

The prestige of Salamanca comes mainly from the Universidad de Salamanca or Salamanca University. It was founded in 1218 and is one of the oldest universities of Europe, rivalling those in Paris and Bologna. Its different structures are scattered around Calle Serranos and Calle Libreros, west of Rua Mayor.

Most captivated is the plateresque façade of Escuelas Mayores, the earliest Gothic building of the university, completed in 1533. Inside it, around the contemporary patio with mudejar wooden ceiling, are situated the old studying rooms where famous lecturers have taught. A graceful stone staircase goes upstairs where is found the large university library. Its shelves contain 2770 manuscripts, 483 old printed books and 62 000 publications from the period before 19th century.

On the southern side of Escuelas Mayores is located Casa Museo Unamuno, the former house of the writer Miguel de Unamuno, a place of interest mostly for the people acquaint with his works. On a tiny square, opposite of Casa Museo Unamuno, can be found the Hospital de Estudio or the student hostel and the nearby Escuela Menores - a pre-university school. It features a splendid Gothic patio. In the same complex is situated the University Museum showing the gorgeous ceiling decoration from the old library and the Hall of the Turtles exhibiting the world’s second largest collection of fossils.