What to do · Salamanca
Plaza Mayor of Salamanca
Information
- Price
- Free
- Duration
- 30 min
- Season
- All year; at night, with the lighting
- Who it's for
- Everyone
- With a dog
- On a lead; public space
The Plaza Mayor is the centre of life in Salamanca and the point from which any visit is organised. It is an 18th-century Baroque square, enclosed by four fronts of Villamayor stone arcades, with the Town Hall on the north side and medallions with portraits of kings and notable figures in the spandrels of the arches.
A little history
Work began in 1729, on the initiative of the corregidor Rodrigo Caballero Llanes. The design was by Alberto de Churriguera, followed by his nephew Manuel de Lara Churriguera and finished by Andrés García de Quiñones in 1755, who is also the author of the Town Hall. It is not a perfect square: it is an irregular quadrilateral, with three storeys above the arcades on each front, although walking round it appears regular.
What to look at
Each side has its name and its gallery of medallions. In the Royal Pavilion is the effigy of Ferdinand III the Saint, and the medallions on its arches are of kings of Spain. In the south pavilion, that of San Martín, the medallions commemorate soldiers and conquerors; in that of the petrineros, figures from culture. Walk slowly round under the arcades looking for familiar faces: it is a good game with children.
How to make the most of it
Come twice: in the morning, to call in at the tourist office at number 32 and pick up the map, and at night, when the lights come on and the stone turns golden. The office is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 19:00, Saturdays from 10:00 to 19:00 and Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00; it is closed on 25 December, 1 and 6 January and on the afternoons of 24 and 31 December. Phone 923 268 571.
The terraces under the arcades are expensive, but a coffee sitting here is part of the visit. The square is pedestrianised and is visited from outside, with no ticket or hours.
From here
Rúa Mayor leaves the square and takes you in ten minutes to the Casa de las Conchas, the Clerecía and the cathedrals. From there, the University is a step away and the Roman Bridge, downhill. It is the logical order for a first day: square, shells, university, cathedrals and river.
Frequently asked questions
Who built the Plaza Mayor of Salamanca?
It was begun by Alberto de Churriguera in 1729 and finished by Andrés García de Quiñones in 1755.
Where is the tourist office?
Under the arcades, at number 32 of the square.
With young childrenAs a familyWith teenagersWith a dog
