Salamanca is a city in western Spain which is part of the Sovereign region of Castile and Leon
. The Old City of Salamanca was announced as one of the World Heritage Site in the 80s.
In touring Salamanca, better go for car hire. You cannot see all of Salamanca if you will only travel by foot. Renting a car will also keep you comfortable as you move around Salamanca.
Salamanca is known as Ciudad Dorada meaning the Golden City. Its because of the influence of Renaissance of making buildings made of sandstone. Salamanca produces a unique type of sandstone from a nearby villages quarry.
First place to stop in Salamanca will be the Plaza Mayor located at Salamanca Central Square. In the year 1800s Andrs Garca de Quiones built it. The plaza Mayor is included the list of Europes finest squares.
It also has the capacity of almost 20,000 people since it was a venue for crowded bullfights. Nowadays it is exclusively used for concerts. The Plaza is just beside the main square of Salamancas Central Market where usual Spanish products are sold.
Another place to see is the old Romanesque cathedral. Built during the 1200s, it has this amazing dome that uses a double arcade pierced on the windows from its crossing spring cover. From there, one can see the far reflection of Hagia Sophia, a mosque from Istanbul Turkey. It will be amazing to visit and learn about Salamancas amazing architecture when you get there.
Salamanca is full of attractions, other places to visit will be Augustinian monastery which houses the tomb of the count and countess de Monterrey. There is also Art Dec Museum Casa Lis where they display astonishing art pieces.
One of the sites for pilgrimage in Salamanca will be the White Chapel of the True Cross; it has a Renaissance portal but was renovated to be in Baroque style in the 1700s. GP