PLAZA MAYOR
30 minutes
It is one of the most beautiful squares in Spain. It was built in the 18th century following the design by architect Alberto Churriguera. It is considered one of the most important monuments of Spanish Baroque. On the north side stands the City Hall building, crowned by a bell gable between four allegorical figures. Its decoration features prominent medallions depicting kings, military figures, and conquistadors, as well as important figures of Spanish culture, such as Cervantes, Saint Teresa, or Unamuno.
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Salamanca's Plaza Mayor has not always occupied its current location. It had two predecessors: the Plaza del Azogue Viejo and the Plaza del Azogue Nuevo. The former disappeared when the New Cathedral was built over it, and the latter, located next to the Puerta del Sol of the old medieval wall, disappeared as the city expanded northwards.
The plot on which the current agora was built was occupied by the San Martín Market since the Middle Ages, so large that ancient sources say it was the largest market in Christendom. The current square was built occupying a quarter of this space. The Plaza del Corrillo, Plaza del Poeta Iglesias, and Plaza de Mercado, where the current market—a magnificent example of iron architecture—was erected, remained outside.
The idea for its construction originated from corregidor Rodrigo Caballero, who managed to convince the city council of the need for a more harmonious square in line with the urban planning trends of the time. The chosen architect was Alberto de Churriguera, who designed an enclosed and arcaded square in the style of those in Valladolid or Madrid. It was built between 1729 and 1755, completed on the latter date by architect Andrés García de Quiñones, to whom the design of the City Hall is attributed.
Salamanca's Plaza Mayor is an irregular quadrilateral, and none of its sides have the same length. The building facades are organized into three stories resting on arcades with semicircular arches. The City Hall, the Royal Pavilion, the Arch of San Pablo, and the Arch of San Martín stand out in height, breaking its symmetry. In the center of the north side, the Salamanca City Hall rises, above which is erected a bell gable with three bells and four allegorical sculptures representing Industry, Agriculture, Music, and Poetry. On the eastern flank, the Royal Pavilion stands out, where a slate plaque reminds us of the start of its construction. High up, the arms of King Philip V, to whom the pavilion was dedicated, are displayed, and below, the image of Ferdinand III the Saint, protector of the Spanish monarchy.
In total, the square has 88 semicircular arches decorated in their spandrels with medallions depicting important figures from Spanish history. Rodrigo Caballero was the author of the square's iconographic program, a program that was only fulfilled on two of its sides: the Royal Pavilion and the San Martín Pavilion. The medallions of both pavilions were carved by sculptor Alejandro Carnicero. The first was dedicated to the Spanish monarchy and depicts busts of kings in chronological order. The second was dedicated to great Spanish captains and conquistadors, and was thus named "General Headquarters." The third and fourth sections were intended to be dedicated to scholars and saints but were not completed at the time, which explains why medallions dating from the 20th and even 21st centuries can be found among them. The last medallion, effigying King Alfonso IX of León, was carved in 2023.
The plot on which the current agora was built was occupied by the San Martín Market since the Middle Ages, so large that ancient sources say it was the largest market in Christendom. The current square was built occupying a quarter of this space. The Plaza del Corrillo, Plaza del Poeta Iglesias, and Plaza de Mercado, where the current market—a magnificent example of iron architecture—was erected, remained outside.
The idea for its construction originated from corregidor Rodrigo Caballero, who managed to convince the city council of the need for a more harmonious square in line with the urban planning trends of the time. The chosen architect was Alberto de Churriguera, who designed an enclosed and arcaded square in the style of those in Valladolid or Madrid. It was built between 1729 and 1755, completed on the latter date by architect Andrés García de Quiñones, to whom the design of the City Hall is attributed.
Salamanca's Plaza Mayor is an irregular quadrilateral, and none of its sides have the same length. The building facades are organized into three stories resting on arcades with semicircular arches. The City Hall, the Royal Pavilion, the Arch of San Pablo, and the Arch of San Martín stand out in height, breaking its symmetry. In the center of the north side, the Salamanca City Hall rises, above which is erected a bell gable with three bells and four allegorical sculptures representing Industry, Agriculture, Music, and Poetry. On the eastern flank, the Royal Pavilion stands out, where a slate plaque reminds us of the start of its construction. High up, the arms of King Philip V, to whom the pavilion was dedicated, are displayed, and below, the image of Ferdinand III the Saint, protector of the Spanish monarchy.
In total, the square has 88 semicircular arches decorated in their spandrels with medallions depicting important figures from Spanish history. Rodrigo Caballero was the author of the square's iconographic program, a program that was only fulfilled on two of its sides: the Royal Pavilion and the San Martín Pavilion. The medallions of both pavilions were carved by sculptor Alejandro Carnicero. The first was dedicated to the Spanish monarchy and depicts busts of kings in chronological order. The second was dedicated to great Spanish captains and conquistadors, and was thus named "General Headquarters." The third and fourth sections were intended to be dedicated to scholars and saints but were not completed at the time, which explains why medallions dating from the 20th and even 21st centuries can be found among them. The last medallion, effigying King Alfonso IX of León, was carved in 2023.
Walking its inner perimeter allows us to review the History of Spain through the figures represented in its medallions.
EAST SIDE
• The first arch has no medallion. It housed Franco's medallion until 2017.
• Among the numerous figures represented in its medallions, only five women are featured; four of them are depicted in the medallions of this pavilion.
• King Philip V is represented three times: once in the central arch of the Royal Pavilion, as he was the king who authorized the square's construction, and the other two for each of his reigns.
• An inscription in the Royal Pavilion reminds us that a woman died there.
SOUTH SIDE
• The south side, known as the "General Headquarters," is so named because its medallions represent military figures and conquistadors. Among them are the Great Captain, Christopher Columbus, Hernán Cortés, and Francisco Pizarro.
WEST SIDE
• On this side, we observe that the first medallion does not show any figure, although it exhibits signs of deterioration. It once housed the bust of Manuel Godoy, but it was removed at the start of the Peninsular War.
• Other figures linked to that conflict are General Wellington and the Salamancan guerrilla fighter Julián Sánchez, known as "El Charro."
• Most of the medallions on this flank represent great figures of Spanish culture, such as Nebrija, Fray Luis de León, Cervantes, Saint Teresa of Jesus, and Unamuno. All of them were carved in the late 20th century.
• In the center of this pavilion, the medallion depicting King Alfonso IX of León, the king who founded the University, stands out. It was carved in 2023.
NORTH SIDE
On this side are medallions made in the 20th and 21st centuries. Among those from the 20th century are those of Rodrigo Caballero and Alberto de Churriguera, located in the central arch, beneath the City Hall. To its right, there is a double medallion representing King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía.
Many of the medallions on this side were made in 2005 and represent various monarchs, as well as the First and Second Republics.
EAST SIDE
• The first arch has no medallion. It housed Franco's medallion until 2017.
• Among the numerous figures represented in its medallions, only five women are featured; four of them are depicted in the medallions of this pavilion.
• King Philip V is represented three times: once in the central arch of the Royal Pavilion, as he was the king who authorized the square's construction, and the other two for each of his reigns.
• An inscription in the Royal Pavilion reminds us that a woman died there.
SOUTH SIDE
• The south side, known as the "General Headquarters," is so named because its medallions represent military figures and conquistadors. Among them are the Great Captain, Christopher Columbus, Hernán Cortés, and Francisco Pizarro.
WEST SIDE
• On this side, we observe that the first medallion does not show any figure, although it exhibits signs of deterioration. It once housed the bust of Manuel Godoy, but it was removed at the start of the Peninsular War.
• Other figures linked to that conflict are General Wellington and the Salamancan guerrilla fighter Julián Sánchez, known as "El Charro."
• Most of the medallions on this flank represent great figures of Spanish culture, such as Nebrija, Fray Luis de León, Cervantes, Saint Teresa of Jesus, and Unamuno. All of them were carved in the late 20th century.
• In the center of this pavilion, the medallion depicting King Alfonso IX of León, the king who founded the University, stands out. It was carved in 2023.
NORTH SIDE
On this side are medallions made in the 20th and 21st centuries. Among those from the 20th century are those of Rodrigo Caballero and Alberto de Churriguera, located in the central arch, beneath the City Hall. To its right, there is a double medallion representing King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía.
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 a conventional exhibition space, but over the years, it has often served as a large open-air venue for artworks. Among the most important exhibitions of recent years are the following:
• In 2002, when Salamanca was declared European Capital of Culture, it hosted works by Rodin.
• In 2018, on the occasion of the events celebrating the Eighth Centenary of the University's founding, works by Barceló were exhibited.
• In 2023, the Salamancan artist Florencio Maillo exhibited 114 portraits of Federico García Lorca and figures of his time to commemorate the artist's 125th birth anniversary.
• Over several editions, Chinese artist Xu Hongfei has showcased his works in Salamanca, some of which were created specifically to be exhibited in our agora.
Numerous EVENTS are held there. Among them, cultural events are particularly noteworthy:
• Autumn: Antiquarian Book Fair
• Spring: Book Day and the Book Fair
• September: During the Fairs and Festivals of the Virgen de la Vega, concerts and other recreational activities are held.
• Popular races are also held.
• Classic Car Rallies.
• In 2002, when Salamanca was declared European Capital of Culture, it hosted works by Rodin.
• In 2018, on the occasion of the events celebrating the Eighth Centenary of the University's founding, works by Barceló were exhibited.
• In 2023, the Salamancan artist Florencio Maillo exhibited 114 portraits of Federico García Lorca and figures of his time to commemorate the artist's 125th birth anniversary.
• Over several editions, Chinese artist Xu Hongfei has showcased his works in Salamanca, some of which were created specifically to be exhibited in our agora.
Numerous EVENTS are held there. Among them, cultural events are particularly noteworthy:
• Autumn: Antiquarian Book Fair
• Spring: Book Day and the Book Fair
• September: During the Fairs and Festivals of the Virgen de la Vega, concerts and other recreational activities are held.
• Popular races are also held.
• Classic Car Rallies.