Historic University Building and the frog

The University of Salamanca, founded in 1218, has its Historic Building in the Escuelas Mayores, on Calle Libreros. What everyone comes to see is the façade, from 1529: the medallion of the Catholic Monarchs below, the coat of arms of Charles V in the middle and the Pope with his cardinals above. The relief grows with height because it was designed to be seen from close up. Among the decoration, on a skull, is the frog that students look for to have luck in their exams.

Inside the Historic Building

The building was begun in 1411, by order of Pope Benedict XIII, and is organised around a two-storey courtyard. The paid ticket gives access to the courtyard and the lecture rooms around the lower cloister. The best known is the Fray Luis de León lecture room, with its original wooden benches, where, according to tradition, the professor returned from five years in prison with the words "as we were saying yesterday". You can also see the Paraninfo, where solemn ceremonies are held, and, on the upper floor, the Antigua Librería, the university's historic library, which is viewed from the door. Allow an hour for everything.

Hours and tickets

In winter (16 October to 31 March), Monday to Saturday from 9:30 to 19:00 and Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 14:00; in summer, Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00 and Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00. Last entry is 45 minutes before. General admission €10, reduced €5; on Mondays from 15:00 it is free. It is closed on 25 December and 1, 6 and 28 January; on 24 and 31 December it opens from 10:00 to 14:00. Groups pay €5 per person. For questions, the phone number is 923 294 400, extension 1150, and visit information is at museo.usal.es.

Around the Patio de Escuelas

In front of the façade, in the Patio de Escuelas, is the statue of Fray Luis de León, and opposite, the Escuelas Menores, with their own courtyard. There you see the so-called Cielo de Salamanca, a vault painted with signs of the zodiac that is visited separately, with its own access; the guides say it is free, but confirm the hours. From the Patio de Escuelas you are two minutes from the cathedrals and the Casa de las Conchas, and ten from the Plaza Mayor.