PLAZA MAYOR
30 minutes
It is one of the most beautiful squares in Spain. It was built in the 18th century following the project of the architect Alberto Churriguera. It is considered one of the most important monuments of the Spanish Baroque. On the north side is the Town Hall building, crowned by a sword between four allegorical figures. Its decoration includes medallions, including kings, soldiers and conquistadors, and important figures of Spanish culture, such as Cervantes, Santa Teresa or Unamuno.
Construction began in 1729 on the initiative of the editor Rodrigo Caballero Llanes. The project was designed by the architect Alberto de Churriguera, who was succeeded by his nephew Manuel de Lara Churriguera and was finally completed in 1755 under the direction of Andrés García de Quiñones.
The Plaza Mayor of Salamanca is the nerve center of the city. It was built in the space occupied by a market and for centuries its purpose was to host the fairs, parties and markets of the city. Today it is still a service space but focused mainly on restoration. The locals, which in the past were shops and businesses, today are mostly occupied by cafes and restaurants. The oldest of them all is the Cafeteria Novelty, a beautiful modernist style venue opened in 1905. It was always a place of gatherings of intellectuals of the stature of Miguel de Unamuno or Torrente Ballester, whose presence has been immortalized in a sculpture made by the sculptor Fernando Mayoral.
Today, the Plaza Mayor is the center of city life. It is a meeting point for its inhabitants and all those who visit the city who, without exception, are impacted by its beauty. Sitting on its terraces watching the hours and people go by is almost a ritual for many of its inhabitants.
CURIOSITIES:
• The Plaza Mayor was the bullring until the thirties of the 19th century. In memory of its use as bullfighting coso every July 25 is placed on the sword of the City Council a mast crowned by a figure of a bull and a flag of Spain, known as the Mariseca. It announces the proximity of the fairs and festivals of the Virgen de la Vega, patron saint of Salamanca, a period in which bullfights are celebrated.
• Since it ceased to be used as a bullring, the square has been landscaped. In 1954 the gardens were removed and paved with granite tiles.
• The square was a meeting and dating point and, as Unamuno said, it was “the main liar in the city”. The men were circling around, clockwise, and the women were circling in the opposite direction.
• In the American film "In the spotlight", the president of the United States is the victim of an attack in the Plaza Mayor of Salamanca. However, this square was recreated on a film set in Mexico, specially designed to replicate its architecture.
• Until the 70s of the 20th century, vehicles were circulating through it and it even served as a parking lot.
. On its eastern side, facing the market, it is supported by the Soportales de San Antonio. In them are installed every year the turroneras of the Pool that, with its nougat and artisan products remind us that Christmas is approaching.
The Plaza Mayor as a monument is, in itself, one of the main tourist resources of Salamanca. It is together with the University, the main focus of tourist attraction of the city. In its immediate surroundings you will find other spaces and monuments of great interest:
• The late Romanesque church of San Martín
• The Supply Market
• Monterrey Palace
• The Church of La Purísima
• The Palace of La Salina
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Construction began in 1729 on the initiative of the editor Rodrigo Caballero Llanes. The project was designed by the architect Alberto de Churriguera, who was succeeded by his nephew Manuel de Lara Churriguera and was finally completed in 1755 under the direction of Andrés García de Quiñones.
The Plaza Mayor of Salamanca is the nerve center of the city. It was built in the space occupied by a market and for centuries its purpose was to host the fairs, parties and markets of the city. Today it is still a service space but focused mainly on restoration. The locals, which in the past were shops and businesses, today are mostly occupied by cafes and restaurants. The oldest of them all is the Cafeteria Novelty, a beautiful modernist style venue opened in 1905. It was always a place of gatherings of intellectuals of the stature of Miguel de Unamuno or Torrente Ballester, whose presence has been immortalized in a sculpture made by the sculptor Fernando Mayoral.
Today, the Plaza Mayor is the center of city life. It is a meeting point for its inhabitants and all those who visit the city who, without exception, are impacted by its beauty. Sitting on its terraces watching the hours and people go by is almost a ritual for many of its inhabitants.
CURIOSITIES:
• The Plaza Mayor was the bullring until the thirties of the 19th century. In memory of its use as bullfighting coso every July 25 is placed on the sword of the City Council a mast crowned by a figure of a bull and a flag of Spain, known as the Mariseca. It announces the proximity of the fairs and festivals of the Virgen de la Vega, patron saint of Salamanca, a period in which bullfights are celebrated.
• Since it ceased to be used as a bullring, the square has been landscaped. In 1954 the gardens were removed and paved with granite tiles.
• The square was a meeting and dating point and, as Unamuno said, it was “the main liar in the city”. The men were circling around, clockwise, and the women were circling in the opposite direction.
• In the American film "In the spotlight", the president of the United States is the victim of an attack in the Plaza Mayor of Salamanca. However, this square was recreated on a film set in Mexico, specially designed to replicate its architecture.
• Until the 70s of the 20th century, vehicles were circulating through it and it even served as a parking lot.
. On its eastern side, facing the market, it is supported by the Soportales de San Antonio. In them are installed every year the turroneras of the Pool that, with its nougat and artisan products remind us that Christmas is approaching.
The Plaza Mayor as a monument is, in itself, one of the main tourist resources of Salamanca. It is together with the University, the main focus of tourist attraction of the city. In its immediate surroundings you will find other spaces and monuments of great interest:
• The late Romanesque church of San Martín
• The Supply Market
• Monterrey Palace
• The Church of La Purísima
• The Palace of La Salina
Going through its internal perimeter allows us to review the History of Spain through the characters represented in its medallions.
EASTERN SIDE
• The first arch has no medallion. It had until 20017 that of Franco.
• Among the numerous characters represented in their medallions are only five women; four of them are represented on the medallions of this pavilion.
• King Philip V is represented three times: one in the central arch of the Royal Pavilion, for being the king who authorized the construction of the square, and the other two for each of his reigns.
• In the Royal Pavilion an inscription reminds us that a woman died there.
SOUTH SIDE
• The southern side, known as the ‘Headquarters’, is named because its medallions represent soldiers and conquerors. Among them are the Grand Captain, Christopher Columbus, Hernan Cortes and Francisco Pizarro.
WEST SIDE
• On this side, we observe that the first medallion does not show the figure of any character, although it presents marks of deterioration. At the time, it housed the bust of Manuel Godoy, but was eliminated with the onset of the War of Independence.
• Other characters linked to that contest are General Wellington and the Salamancan guerrilla Julián Sánchez, known as "El Charro".
• Much of the medallions on this flank represent great figures of Spanish culture, such as Nebrija, Fray Luis de León, Cervantes, Santa Teresa de Jesús and Unamuno. All of them were carved at the end of the 20th century.
• In the center of this pavilion stands out the medallion that represents King Alfonso IX of León, the king who founded the University. It was carved in 2023.
NORTH SIDE
On this side are medallions made in the 20th and 21st centuries. Among those of the 20th century are those of Rodrigo Caballero and Alberto de Churriguera, located in the central arch, under the town hall. To his right, there is a double medallion representing kings Juan Carlos I and Sofia.
Many of the medallions on this side were made in 2005 and represent various monarchs, as well as the First and Second Republics.
EASTERN SIDE
• The first arch has no medallion. It had until 20017 that of Franco.
• Among the numerous characters represented in their medallions are only five women; four of them are represented on the medallions of this pavilion.
• King Philip V is represented three times: one in the central arch of the Royal Pavilion, for being the king who authorized the construction of the square, and the other two for each of his reigns.
• In the Royal Pavilion an inscription reminds us that a woman died there.
SOUTH SIDE
• The southern side, known as the ‘Headquarters’, is named because its medallions represent soldiers and conquerors. Among them are the Grand Captain, Christopher Columbus, Hernan Cortes and Francisco Pizarro.
WEST SIDE
• On this side, we observe that the first medallion does not show the figure of any character, although it presents marks of deterioration. At the time, it housed the bust of Manuel Godoy, but was eliminated with the onset of the War of Independence.
• Other characters linked to that contest are General Wellington and the Salamancan guerrilla Julián Sánchez, known as "El Charro".
• Much of the medallions on this flank represent great figures of Spanish culture, such as Nebrija, Fray Luis de León, Cervantes, Santa Teresa de Jesús and Unamuno. All of them were carved at the end of the 20th century.
• In the center of this pavilion stands out the medallion that represents King Alfonso IX of León, the king who founded the University. It was carved in 2023.
NORTH SIDE
On this side are medallions made in the 20th and 21st centuries. Among those of the 20th century are those of Rodrigo Caballero and Alberto de Churriguera, located in the central arch, under the town hall. To his right, there is a double medallion representing kings Juan Carlos I and Sofia.
Many of the medallions on this side were made in 2005 and represent various monarchs, as well as the First and Second Republics.
The Plaza Mayor is not an exhibition space to use but, over the years, it has served many times as a large container of outdoor works of art. Among the most important exhibitions in recent years are the following:
• In 2002, when Salamanca was declared European Capital of Culture, it hosted works by Roden,.
• In 2018, on the occasion of the events of the Eighth Centenary of the foundation of Unversity,
works by Barceló
• In 2023 the Salamancan artist Florencio Maillo exhibited 114 portraits of Federico García Lorca and characters
of his time to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the artist's birth.
• During several editions the Chinese artist Xu Hongfei has shown his works in Salamanca, some of the
which were made exprofeso to be exhibited in our agora. s balconies and other architectural elements.
There are numerous EVENTS that are celebrated in it. Among all of them, it is worth mentioning those of a cultural nature:
• Autumn: Old Book Fair
• Spring: Book Day and the Book Fair.
• September; Concerts and other recreational activities are held during the Ferias and Festas de la Virgen de la Vega.
• Popular races are also made
• Concentrations of old cars.
• In 2002, when Salamanca was declared European Capital of Culture, it hosted works by Roden,.
• In 2018, on the occasion of the events of the Eighth Centenary of the foundation of Unversity,
works by Barceló
• In 2023 the Salamancan artist Florencio Maillo exhibited 114 portraits of Federico García Lorca and characters
of his time to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the artist's birth.
• During several editions the Chinese artist Xu Hongfei has shown his works in Salamanca, some of the
which were made exprofeso to be exhibited in our agora. s balconies and other architectural elements.
There are numerous EVENTS that are celebrated in it. Among all of them, it is worth mentioning those of a cultural nature:
• Autumn: Old Book Fair
• Spring: Book Day and the Book Fair.
• September; Concerts and other recreational activities are held during the Ferias and Festas de la Virgen de la Vega.
• Popular races are also made
• Concentrations of old cars.