Before returning back to Lisbon, a stop in Salamanca was great. I could breath in the atmosphere of the famous student city where the purest Spanish is spoken. This makes it be a popular destination for students wanting to learn Spanish.
The glowing sandstone buildings of the old city shine on a bright sunny day and you immediately understand why the Old Town is called "The Golden City.
It's delightful to wander the streets of the historic city, most of which are for pedestrians, only.
The honey coloured buildings are lovely and harmonious. There is a lot of street life to enjoy: cafes and restaurants mixed among the churches, monuments and historical sites.
Plaza Mayor (The Main Square) - the meeting point for Spanish people and tourists, as well. Built in 1729 and completed in 1755, Salamanca’s Plaza Mayor is widely considered one of the most beautiful plazas in Spain. Throughout its history, Plaza Mayor has served as a market, and a bull fighting arena. Nowadays, it hosts the City Hall as well as a variety of restaurants and stores.
You see faces of prominent people in Spanish history
carved into the sandstone above the Plaza's 88 arches.
From Plaza Mayor I walked to the local market but it was already closed. All I could see was a man selling strings of garlic heads, at a street nearby. For my curiosity I asked him the price per string: €5.0 (US$5.8, approximately)!!! Much cheaper than in Portugal...
~~ Thanks for having joined me ~~
~~ Have a great weekend and a wonderful month ahead ~~
The elephant sculpture by a Spanish artist adds a touch of whimsy to the Square.
You see faces of prominent people in Spanish history
carved into the sandstone above the Plaza's 88 arches.
From Plaza Mayor I walked to the local market but it was already closed. All I could see was a man selling strings of garlic heads, at a street nearby. For my curiosity I asked him the price per string: €5.0 (US$5.8, approximately)!!! Much cheaper than in Portugal...
It's seen at a roundabout on Avenue of Portugal
As I returned back home, the two windmills that I see from my bedroom, greeted me...
~~ Have a great weekend and a wonderful month ahead ~~
Very interesting sightseeing through the city Salamanca... Really beautiful moments...
ReplyDeleteHi Viera! Salamanca is an inland destination well worth visiting. Thanks!
DeleteWhat a beautiful city Salamanca is!! A place I would surely like to visit and walk around myself. The old buildings and lack of traffic are wonderful. I'm not sure if I like that modern sculpture of the elephant. It looks out of lace in the old traditional square. Perhaps i would like it more in a different location. Those windmills are a lovely sight to see when you look out of your window!! (by the way, I have also commented on your previous post, a little late I'm sorry!!)
ReplyDeleteHi Mitch! In fact, Salamanca is a very special Spanish city, very lively mainly during school months as it's dotted with foreign students here and there. Unfortunately I had not enough time to see everything I would have liked if I had had enough time. The heart of the city is not very different from 40 years ago when I had been there the last. I was pleased to see you on here... thanks!
DeleteThanks for the informative post as usual Isabel. Loved your bedroom view.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Fatos, for visiting and commenting. I really appreciate both.
DeleteLovely photos, Belita!
ReplyDelete