IERONIMUS VIEWPOINT

After the reconquest of Toledo, Alfonso VI promoted the repopulation of the territories south of the Duero, including Salamanca. The task was entrusted to Count Raymond of Burgundy and Doña Urraca, who completed the process in 1102 and appointed Jerónimo de Perigord, former chaplain of El Cid, as bishop. Upon his arrival in Salamanca, the bishop brought with him the oldest documents of the current Cathedral Archive and the «Christ of Battles», an 11th-century crucifix linked to El Cid's campaigns.

During the Middle Ages, the Old Cathedral, surrounded by battlements, was known as Fortis Salmanticensis for its defensive appearance. Its western facade included two towers: the Bell Tower and the Mocha Tower, the latter used as a dungeon until 1614 and subsequently as access and housing for cathedral staff, including bell ringers, who lived there until the 1960s.

From the 18th century onwards, the Bell Tower suffered significant damage. In 1705, a lightning strike caused a fire that forced master Pantaleón Pontón Setién to rebuild it and add the Baroque finial. The weight of this new structure and the Lisbon earthquake of 1755 worsened its deterioration, which led to reinforcements with iron bands, wooden ties, and an ashlar lining that stabilized the Romanesque shaft.

The declaration of the Cathedral as a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1887 paved the way for the first modern restorations. The current tour of the towers was born between 1998 and 2001, with the rehabilitation of the Mocha Tower and the Bell Tower as part of the Master Restoration Plan. In 2002, coinciding with the 900th anniversary of the refoundation of Salamanca, these spaces were opened to the public under the name of Ieronimus, in tribute to the first bishop of the restored Diocese.

Since then, Ieronimus has consolidated as one of the city's great tourist attractions, expanding its visitable spaces and continuously renewing its exhibition contents. In 2025, Ieronimus became part of the newly created Salamanca Viewpoints Route. It's no coincidence: it is the most prominent viewpoint in the city, a true watchtower from which not only the urban area can be contemplated, but also a wide horizon that reaches the mountains of the southern part of the province.

TOUR Inside Ieronimus, several viewpoints, both interior and exterior, follow one another. The interior viewpoints allow visitors to contemplate the two cathedral temples from their respective privileged “balconies,” while the exterior ones offer multiple perspectives of the city and the temples themselves from an unusual proximity for the visitor. Along the route, three exterior viewpoints are accessed: the Mocha Tower terrace, the Anaya terrace from the upper platform of the New Cathedral, and the Bell Tower.

MOCHA TOWER TERRACE Despite its name, this tower was never truncated. In fact, it was originally shorter, until an upper section was added in the 18th century, giving it its current height. Stepping out onto the Mocha Tower Terrace, located at the foot of the Bell Tower, offers a privileged view of the Cathedral Complex. From here, it is easy to distinguish the New Cathedral from the Old, contemplate its battlements —which recall the defensive nature of the Old Cathedral— and, above all, enjoy the wide landscape that unfolds before us. From east to west, highlights include the Monastery of the Virgen de la Vega, the Tormes river, the Roman Bridge, the neighborhoods across the Tormes, and the Episcopal Palace.

To the left, the central naves and the great dome of the New Cathedral can be seen. Beneath it stands the Rooster Tower, a dome of oriental inspiration considered one of the jewels of Spanish medieval art. In front of us, the Cloister of the Old Cathedral stands out, Salamanca's first university building, notably featuring the Chapel of Santa Bárbara, where exams for the Doctor title were held.

Upstream of the Tormes, the Felipe VI Bridge can be distinguished and, next to it, the old Convent of the Virgen de la Vega —today Sánchez Fabrés Foundation— from which the image of the Virgen de la Vega, patroness of Salamanca, currently located in the altarpiece of the Old Cathedral, originates. The Enrique Estevan Bridge, inaugurated in 1913, was the city's second bridge, and constitutes an interesting work of iron architecture. On the opposite bank stand out the towers of the New Church of the Holy Trinity of Arrabal and the Parador de Turismo building; on the left bank, the Church of Santiago and the Roman Bridge.

ANAYA TERRACE From this terrace, one of the most complete and impressive panoramic views of Salamanca unfolds. To the west rises San Vicente hill, the historic origin of the city. At our feet, the Historic University Building stands out, crowned by the bell gable of its chapel, and in the background, Archbishop Fonseca's Colegio Mayor, one of the old Major Colleges, can be distinguished. The view allows one to appreciate the imposing silhouette of the Clerecía church and the Pontifical University, which occupy the old Royal College of the Society of Jesus. To the north, Rúa Mayor opens, the main axis of the historic city, leading to the Church of San Martín. Behind it rises the bell gable of the City Hall, indicating the location of Plaza Mayor. At the visitor's feet extends Anaya Square, laid out in 1811 during the French occupation. It houses the Church of San Sebastián and the old Colegio Mayor of San Bartolomé or Anaya. To the east, the Convent of Las Dueñas and the Convent of San Esteban stand out, two essential references of Salamanca's heritage. In front of us rises the majestic New Cathedral. Its three staggered naves, supported by buttresses, flying buttresses, and pinnacles, offer an authentic lesson in Late Gothic architecture, fully visible from this point.

BELL CHAMBER This room belongs to the upper body of the tower, added in the 18th century. The current bell tower houses fourteen bells, including the largest and most emblematic of Salamanca: the great bell, known as «María de la O». From this point, the highest in the city, a complete panoramic view towards the four cardinal points is obtained. As a majestic backdrop, towards the south of the province, we see the Sierra de Béjar.