CUEVA DE SALAMANCA
20 minutes
In the place known as La Cueva de Salamanca are preserved the vestiges of the medieval church of San Cebrián, built in the twelfth century next to the Cerca Vieja. According to legend, in the crypt of this church the devil imparted black magic.
History, myths and archaeological remains converge in this iconic place. At the entrance of the Cave of Salamanca, a poster welcomes the visitor, warning that it is in a space steeped in mystery and legends: "Next to the Old Town, on the edge of the old city, between dream and reality, between tradition and awakening, the roots of the Cave of Salamanca are settled. Representation of the forbidden and the enigmatic, refuge of mysterious figures that only the passage of time has illuminated. Literary inspiration from Cervantes, Alarcón and Rojas."
What are the remains and ruins that we contemplate in this place? When crossing the fence that delimits the enclosure, we immerse ourselves in the crypt of a medieval church, known as San Cebrián or San Ciprián. Later, we see a fragment of the old medieval wall, and in the background stands a tower, known as the Tower of the Marquis of Villena.
Over the centuries, both oral tradition and literature have generated multiple legends around this place, until turning it into a mythical site. There are numerous versions of the famous legend of the Cave of Salamanca; some even trace their origin to the mythical Hercules.
It is said that in the Cave of Salamanca the sacristan of the church, Clemente Potosí, taught necromancy classes. According to some accounts, this sacristan was none other than the devil himself disguised as a sacristan. In the dark of night, he taught black magic to seven students over a seven-year period. At the end of this time, one of them had to stay in the cave to serve him for life as payment for the knowledge acquired. While some claim that the chosen one was decided by lot, others believe that the devil selected the most advantaged student. On one occasion, the unfortunate was Henry of Aragon, Marquis of Villena. Thanks to the magical arts learned, he managed to hide in a huge jar inside the crypt. When the sacristan returned, he believed that Don Enrique had fled, and, in his bewilderment, forgot to close the door. This allowed the Marquis to escape, albeit at a high cost: He lost his shadow, being marked for life as a follower of the devil.
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History, myths and archaeological remains converge in this iconic place. At the entrance of the Cave of Salamanca, a poster welcomes the visitor, warning that it is in a space steeped in mystery and legends: "Next to the Old Town, on the edge of the old city, between dream and reality, between tradition and awakening, the roots of the Cave of Salamanca are settled. Representation of the forbidden and the enigmatic, refuge of mysterious figures that only the passage of time has illuminated. Literary inspiration from Cervantes, Alarcón and Rojas."
What are the remains and ruins that we contemplate in this place? When crossing the fence that delimits the enclosure, we immerse ourselves in the crypt of a medieval church, known as San Cebrián or San Ciprián. Later, we see a fragment of the old medieval wall, and in the background stands a tower, known as the Tower of the Marquis of Villena.
Over the centuries, both oral tradition and literature have generated multiple legends around this place, until turning it into a mythical site. There are numerous versions of the famous legend of the Cave of Salamanca; some even trace their origin to the mythical Hercules.
It is said that in the Cave of Salamanca the sacristan of the church, Clemente Potosí, taught necromancy classes. According to some accounts, this sacristan was none other than the devil himself disguised as a sacristan. In the dark of night, he taught black magic to seven students over a seven-year period. At the end of this time, one of them had to stay in the cave to serve him for life as payment for the knowledge acquired. While some claim that the chosen one was decided by lot, others believe that the devil selected the most advantaged student. On one occasion, the unfortunate was Henry of Aragon, Marquis of Villena. Thanks to the magical arts learned, he managed to hide in a huge jar inside the crypt. When the sacristan returned, he believed that Don Enrique had fled, and, in his bewilderment, forgot to close the door. This allowed the Marquis to escape, albeit at a high cost: He lost his shadow, being marked for life as a follower of the devil.
1.-IGLESIA AND CRIPTA(Cave of Salamanca)
What has come to this day is limited to the crypt of the church. On the upper level the excavations and restorations of the nineties brought to light the perimeter walls of the church. It was a temple of small dimensions, rectangular plan and semicircular head. A gate currently covers access to the crypt from the church.
The steep slope of the street was used to build a crypt under the main chapel. The communication between crypt and header was made through a narrow staircase with slate cannon vault. This space is covered with a barrel vault that starts from a beveled imposta line. On the pavement can be indicated the semicircular apse and the thickness of it. The apse served in turn as a defensive cube of the wall and protected the immediate gate of San Cebrián.
Here is an enigmatic bust of Diego de Torres Villarroel, the work of the sculptor Agustín Casillas. Diego de Torres was a multifaceted figure; Throughout his life he was a writer, astrologer, mathematician, priest, exorcist, doctor, bullfighter. The effigy is full of mystery; is depicted face-to-face, with demonic eyes and with the image of an owl on the back.
This place becomes a “magic scenario” at certain times of the year, especially in the summer, when there is a light show that is projected over the cave and the wall; concerts and theatrical performances are made that usually have as protagonists the devil himself and don Enrique de Villena.
Throughout the tour several posters inform the visitor about the history and legends linked to this place.
2.- MURALLA
In this space the stretch of the Old Town that extends between the apse of the church of San Cebrián and the so-called Torre del Marqués de Villena is preserved. This medieval wall canvas, built in the 12th century, was part of the defensive system that protected the Teso de las Catedrales
This section was partly destroyed in 1979 during the demolition works of a palace known as Casa de la Concordia. The excavations carried out later brought to light graves of the cemetery of San Cebrián and in the lower levels strata of the pre-Roman occupation. The cut made on the wall allows you to see the thickness and construction technique of it.
Tower and wall sit on the geological strata and in its elevation can be recognized different phases of construction and reconstruction of the same.
This section was partly destroyed in 1979 during the demolition of a 15th-century palace known as Casa de la Concordia. The excavations carried out later brought to light graves of the cemetery of San Cebrián and in the lower levels strata of the pre-Roman occupation. The cut made on the wall allows you to see the thickness and construction technique of it.
Tower and wall sit on the geological strata and in its elevation can be recognized different phases of construction and reconstruction of the same.
3.- TORRE DEL MARQUÉS DE VILLENA
From here we can access the Marquis de Villena Tower, protagonist of the legend of the Cave.
It is a 15th century construction that rests on one of the cubes of the primitive near the city. It is the only structure that remains standing of the Palacio Mayorazgo de los Albandea, a palace that was accessed from Calle de San Pablo. In the access door and in the corners of the top of the tower presents shields of the Sánchez de Palenzuela family to which it seems to have belonged. Inside some metal stairs allow you to climb to the viewpoint from where there are unbeatable views of the southeast area of the city.
What has come to this day is limited to the crypt of the church. On the upper level the excavations and restorations of the nineties brought to light the perimeter walls of the church. It was a temple of small dimensions, rectangular plan and semicircular head. A gate currently covers access to the crypt from the church.
The steep slope of the street was used to build a crypt under the main chapel. The communication between crypt and header was made through a narrow staircase with slate cannon vault. This space is covered with a barrel vault that starts from a beveled imposta line. On the pavement can be indicated the semicircular apse and the thickness of it. The apse served in turn as a defensive cube of the wall and protected the immediate gate of San Cebrián.
Here is an enigmatic bust of Diego de Torres Villarroel, the work of the sculptor Agustín Casillas. Diego de Torres was a multifaceted figure; Throughout his life he was a writer, astrologer, mathematician, priest, exorcist, doctor, bullfighter. The effigy is full of mystery; is depicted face-to-face, with demonic eyes and with the image of an owl on the back.
This place becomes a “magic scenario” at certain times of the year, especially in the summer, when there is a light show that is projected over the cave and the wall; concerts and theatrical performances are made that usually have as protagonists the devil himself and don Enrique de Villena.
Throughout the tour several posters inform the visitor about the history and legends linked to this place.
2.- MURALLA
In this space the stretch of the Old Town that extends between the apse of the church of San Cebrián and the so-called Torre del Marqués de Villena is preserved. This medieval wall canvas, built in the 12th century, was part of the defensive system that protected the Teso de las Catedrales
This section was partly destroyed in 1979 during the demolition works of a palace known as Casa de la Concordia. The excavations carried out later brought to light graves of the cemetery of San Cebrián and in the lower levels strata of the pre-Roman occupation. The cut made on the wall allows you to see the thickness and construction technique of it.
Tower and wall sit on the geological strata and in its elevation can be recognized different phases of construction and reconstruction of the same.
This section was partly destroyed in 1979 during the demolition of a 15th-century palace known as Casa de la Concordia. The excavations carried out later brought to light graves of the cemetery of San Cebrián and in the lower levels strata of the pre-Roman occupation. The cut made on the wall allows you to see the thickness and construction technique of it.
Tower and wall sit on the geological strata and in its elevation can be recognized different phases of construction and reconstruction of the same.
3.- TORRE DEL MARQUÉS DE VILLENA
From here we can access the Marquis de Villena Tower, protagonist of the legend of the Cave.
It is a 15th century construction that rests on one of the cubes of the primitive near the city. It is the only structure that remains standing of the Palacio Mayorazgo de los Albandea, a palace that was accessed from Calle de San Pablo. In the access door and in the corners of the top of the tower presents shields of the Sánchez de Palenzuela family to which it seems to have belonged. Inside some metal stairs allow you to climb to the viewpoint from where there are unbeatable views of the southeast area of the city.
MUSEALIZED ROOM
On the wall, in the space between the church and the Marquis de Villena Tower, a modern concrete building was built in which the archaeological remains recovered in the excavations carried out in the nineties in the necropolis of the church of San Cebrián are exposed.
In it you can see:
• wood dogs with polychrome faces
• Romanesque mouldings with chess and palmette decoration
• Medieval tombs and discoid stelae from the necropolis of the church of San Cebrián.
On the other side of the street is the Interpretation Center of the walls, "Salmantica Castrorum", where you can see in situ important remains of the Castro wall and the medieval fence.
On the wall, in the space between the church and the Marquis de Villena Tower, a modern concrete building was built in which the archaeological remains recovered in the excavations carried out in the nineties in the necropolis of the church of San Cebrián are exposed.
In it you can see:
• wood dogs with polychrome faces
• Romanesque mouldings with chess and palmette decoration
• Medieval tombs and discoid stelae from the necropolis of the church of San Cebrián.
On the other side of the street is the Interpretation Center of the walls, "Salmantica Castrorum", where you can see in situ important remains of the Castro wall and the medieval fence.