SCALA COELI. CLERECÍA TOWERS
40 minutes
Salamanca boasts two impressive historical viewpoints that allow visitors to admire the city from above: Ieronimus, located in the Cathedral towers, and Scala Coeli, in the Clerecía towers. Both observation points offer unique panoramic views, revealing unprecedented and spectacular angles of the urban fabric and its monumental richness. Scala Coeli (Stairway to Heaven) is the tour through the towers of the Clerecía church, the former Royal College of the Holy Spirit, which today houses the Pontifical University. The tour includes a first stop at the church's galleries. In this space, visitors can learn about the different construction phases of the building through models, as well as discover information about its history, its founders, and the architects responsible for its construction. The second section of stairs leads to the lower part of the towers, a privileged spot from which impressive panoramic views with multiple perspectives of the city can be admired.
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Free visit price
- Individual - 3.75 €
- Grupos - 3.25 €
- Niños (Edad máxima: 11) - 0.00 €
The Royal College of the Holy Spirit was founded in the early 17th century by the Kings of Spain, Philip III and Margarita of Austria. The chosen architect for the work was Juan Gómez de Mora, royal architect to Philip III. Construction began on the Church in 1617 and lasted for over one hundred and fifty years. It was architect Andrés García de Quiñones who completed the church façade and built the main cloister, the grand staircase, and the General Theology Hall (today the Great Hall of the Pontifical University). The result was an architectural complex of exceptional magnitude, considered a masterpiece of European Baroque.
Following the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767, the building was divided into three parts. The Church and Sacristy were handed over to the Royal Clergy of Saint Mark, giving rise to its current name. The southern wing, organized around the community cloister, was designated for Irish students. Currently, this cloister houses the Vargas Zúñiga library, as well as classrooms and offices of the Pontifical University. The college, structured around the main cloister, became the seat of the Conciliar Seminary. During the 19th century, and especially during the Peninsular War, the building was repeatedly used as barracks and a field hospital by troops stationed in the city. Subsequently, it resumed its function as a seminary and, since 1940, became the main seat of the Pontifical University of Salamanca.
Although the church was consecrated in 1665, the uppermost section of the façade remained unfinished. The date 1754, engraved on the reverse of the pedestal of the Virgin crowning the bell gable, indicates the year this work was completed. It is a tradition that Quiñones placed here the towers he had designed for the City Hall, which were never built. The beautiful wooden model of the city council building is preserved, showing similarities but also differences with those of the Clerecía. In reality, Quiñones designed new towers for the Church of the Holy Spirit (Clerecía), with two superimposed octagonal sections. At the corners of the second section, he placed obelisks preceded by statues representing the Doctors of the Church, saints of the Company, and the Theological and Cardinal Virtues.
Since 2012, it has been possible to ascend the Clerecía church towers. The tour is called Scala Coeli ("Stairway to Heaven"). The ascent is made inside the north tower. Through the original wooden staircase, visitors reach the gallery from which the church's Main Altarpiece can be seen. From here, the staircase ascends in a zigzag pattern, attached to the walls of the stairwell, until reaching the towers. The walk through the towers is a unique experience that allows us to discover spectacular panoramic views of the city.
Following the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767, the building was divided into three parts. The Church and Sacristy were handed over to the Royal Clergy of Saint Mark, giving rise to its current name. The southern wing, organized around the community cloister, was designated for Irish students. Currently, this cloister houses the Vargas Zúñiga library, as well as classrooms and offices of the Pontifical University. The college, structured around the main cloister, became the seat of the Conciliar Seminary. During the 19th century, and especially during the Peninsular War, the building was repeatedly used as barracks and a field hospital by troops stationed in the city. Subsequently, it resumed its function as a seminary and, since 1940, became the main seat of the Pontifical University of Salamanca.
Although the church was consecrated in 1665, the uppermost section of the façade remained unfinished. The date 1754, engraved on the reverse of the pedestal of the Virgin crowning the bell gable, indicates the year this work was completed. It is a tradition that Quiñones placed here the towers he had designed for the City Hall, which were never built. The beautiful wooden model of the city council building is preserved, showing similarities but also differences with those of the Clerecía. In reality, Quiñones designed new towers for the Church of the Holy Spirit (Clerecía), with two superimposed octagonal sections. At the corners of the second section, he placed obelisks preceded by statues representing the Doctors of the Church, saints of the Company, and the Theological and Cardinal Virtues.
Since 2012, it has been possible to ascend the Clerecía church towers. The tour is called Scala Coeli ("Stairway to Heaven"). The ascent is made inside the north tower. Through the original wooden staircase, visitors reach the gallery from which the church's Main Altarpiece can be seen. From here, the staircase ascends in a zigzag pattern, attached to the walls of the stairwell, until reaching the towers. The walk through the towers is a unique experience that allows us to discover spectacular panoramic views of the city.
STAIRCASE
The tour to ascend the towers starts from the Study Cloister. It proceeds via a wooden staircase built in the 18th century. In total there are almost two hundred steps (164 to the first bell chamber). At the end of the first section of the staircase, we reach one of the galleries, located above the epistle nave of the church, which aligns in height with the central section of the façade.
GALLERIES
This space has preserved its original appearance, with clay tile floors and whitewashed walls. The galleries in Jesuit churches were designed for novices to follow liturgical celebrations, reflecting the strong educational and contemplative orientation of the Society of Jesus. From one of the balconies, the interior of the church can be contemplated, a privileged spot to admire the high altar and its magnificent Baroque altarpiece. Currently, the exhibition tour only occupies the gallery on the epistle side, although there are plans to extend it to both galleries and the choir located at the west end of the church.
The exhibition space is divided into three rooms.
• In the first, titled "The Beginning and the End," highlights include portraits of Doña Margarita of Austria and Philip III, and documentation on the founding of the Royal College of the Society of Jesus.
• The second room is dedicated to the building's construction.
• The third covers the history of the College after the expulsion of the Jesuits.
BELL RINGER'S STAIRCASE
The visit continues via the Bell Ringer's Staircase which leads to the church towers. From the base, it is impressive to observe how the wooden structure rises, attached to the walls inside the north tower, giving the sensation of being suspended in mid-air. From this point, the first section of the tower is reached.
Upon reaching the towers, we can enjoy splendid views of Salamanca's historic quarter. A passageway located behind the façade's bell gable allows access to the south tower. The entire city lies at our feet: the Study Cloister, the New Cathedral, San Esteban, La Casa de las Conchas, Fonseca…
BELL CHAMBER
In both towers, a modern spiral staircase allows access to the bell chamber.
The tour to ascend the towers starts from the Study Cloister. It proceeds via a wooden staircase built in the 18th century. In total there are almost two hundred steps (164 to the first bell chamber). At the end of the first section of the staircase, we reach one of the galleries, located above the epistle nave of the church, which aligns in height with the central section of the façade.
GALLERIES
This space has preserved its original appearance, with clay tile floors and whitewashed walls. The galleries in Jesuit churches were designed for novices to follow liturgical celebrations, reflecting the strong educational and contemplative orientation of the Society of Jesus. From one of the balconies, the interior of the church can be contemplated, a privileged spot to admire the high altar and its magnificent Baroque altarpiece. Currently, the exhibition tour only occupies the gallery on the epistle side, although there are plans to extend it to both galleries and the choir located at the west end of the church.
The exhibition space is divided into three rooms.
• In the first, titled "The Beginning and the End," highlights include portraits of Doña Margarita of Austria and Philip III, and documentation on the founding of the Royal College of the Society of Jesus.
• The second room is dedicated to the building's construction.
• The third covers the history of the College after the expulsion of the Jesuits.
BELL RINGER'S STAIRCASE
The visit continues via the Bell Ringer's Staircase which leads to the church towers. From the base, it is impressive to observe how the wooden structure rises, attached to the walls inside the north tower, giving the sensation of being suspended in mid-air. From this point, the first section of the tower is reached.
Upon reaching the towers, we can enjoy splendid views of Salamanca's historic quarter. A passageway located behind the façade's bell gable allows access to the south tower. The entire city lies at our feet: the Study Cloister, the New Cathedral, San Esteban, La Casa de las Conchas, Fonseca…
BELL CHAMBER
In both towers, a modern spiral staircase allows access to the bell chamber.
An exhibition has been installed in the gallery located above the church's epistle nave, where, through panels and models, we can learn about the history of the Royal College. The space has been divided into three rooms:
ROOM 1. THE BEGINNING AND THE END
A brief synthesis of the history of the Royal College of the Holy Spirit, featuring:
• Portraits of the founders: Kings Philip III and Margarita of Austria.
• The history of the founding of the Royal College of the Society of Jesus.
• The College of the Society of Jesus after the expulsion of the Jesuits.
ROOM 2. SOCIETAS IESU DOMUS SALMANTICENSIS.
• On the beginnings of the building's construction: displays plans of the initial project, attributed to Fray Alberto de la Madre de Dios.
• On the precedents and influence of other historical buildings, especially the Monastery of El Escorial.
• The Society's colleges in Spain and their expansion into America.
• Building construction phases: through five wooden models, visitors can see how the building evolved. The final model shows the majestic finished building, considered a Baroque masterpiece.
• Salamanca during the 18th century: a display case features the first known map of Salamanca, created by architect Jerónimo García de Quiñones in 1789.
• Various exhibition panels present the biographies of two key figures in the construction of the Royal College: Juan Gómez de Mora and Andrés García de Quiñones, highlighting their architectural legacy and their impact on the building's design.
• From the balcony overlooking the transept, the interior of the church can be contemplated, a privileged spot to admire the high altar and its magnificent Baroque altarpiece.
ROOM 3. A NEW REBIRTH
• Several black and white photographs show the damage suffered by the building in the 19th century.
• As a testament to its recent history, the founding document of the Pontifical University in 1940 is displayed.
ROOM 1. THE BEGINNING AND THE END
A brief synthesis of the history of the Royal College of the Holy Spirit, featuring:
• Portraits of the founders: Kings Philip III and Margarita of Austria.
• The history of the founding of the Royal College of the Society of Jesus.
• The College of the Society of Jesus after the expulsion of the Jesuits.
ROOM 2. SOCIETAS IESU DOMUS SALMANTICENSIS.
• On the beginnings of the building's construction: displays plans of the initial project, attributed to Fray Alberto de la Madre de Dios.
• On the precedents and influence of other historical buildings, especially the Monastery of El Escorial.
• The Society's colleges in Spain and their expansion into America.
• Building construction phases: through five wooden models, visitors can see how the building evolved. The final model shows the majestic finished building, considered a Baroque masterpiece.
• Salamanca during the 18th century: a display case features the first known map of Salamanca, created by architect Jerónimo García de Quiñones in 1789.
• Various exhibition panels present the biographies of two key figures in the construction of the Royal College: Juan Gómez de Mora and Andrés García de Quiñones, highlighting their architectural legacy and their impact on the building's design.
• From the balcony overlooking the transept, the interior of the church can be contemplated, a privileged spot to admire the high altar and its magnificent Baroque altarpiece.
ROOM 3. A NEW REBIRTH
• Several black and white photographs show the damage suffered by the building in the 19th century.
• As a testament to its recent history, the founding document of the Pontifical University in 1940 is displayed.