SCALA COELI. CLERECÍA TOWERS
1 hour 40 minutes
Salamanca boasts two impressive historical viewpoints that allow visitors to admire the city from above: Ieronimus, located in the Cathedral's towers, and Scala Coeli, in the Clerecía's towers. Both observation points offer a unique panorama, 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 has its first stop in the church's tribunes. 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 flight of stairs leads to the lower body of the towers, a privileged point from which impressive panoramas 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 at the beginning of the 17th century by the kings of Spain, Philip III and Margarita of Austria. The architect chosen to carry out the work was Juan Gómez de Mora, royal architect to Philip III. Construction began with the Church in 1617 and lasted for over one hundred and fifty years. It would be architect Andrés García de Quiñones who would complete the church's facade and build the main cloister, the grand staircase, and the General of Theology (today the Paraninfo of the Pontifical University). The result was an architectural complex of exceptional magnitude, considered a masterpiece of European Baroque.
After the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767, the building was divided into three parts. The Church and sacristy were handed over to the Royal Clerecía of San Marcos, giving rise to its current name. The southern wing, organized around the community cloister, was designated for Irish students. Currently, that 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 used on numerous occasions 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 last section of the facade remained unfinished. The date 1754, engraved on the reverse of the pedestal of the Virgin that crowns the bell gable, indicates the year this work was completed.
The towers were originally designed by Andrés García de Quiñones to crown the Town Hall facade. The beautiful wooden model of the town hall, which shows similarities but also differences with those of the Clerecía, is preserved. In reality, Quiñones designed new towers for the Church of the Holy Spirit (Clerecía), with two superimposed octagonal sections. In the corners of the second section, he placed obelisks preceded by statues representing the Doctors of the Church, saints of the company, and Theological and Cardinal Virtues.
Since 2012, it has been possible to climb the towers of the Clerecía church. The route is called Scala Coeli (“Stairway to Heaven”). The ascent is made through the interior of the north tower. Through the original wooden staircase, one reaches the tribune from which the church's Main Altarpiece can be seen. From here, the staircase ascends in a zigzag pattern, clinging 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.
After the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767, the building was divided into three parts. The Church and sacristy were handed over to the Royal Clerecía of San Marcos, giving rise to its current name. The southern wing, organized around the community cloister, was designated for Irish students. Currently, that 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 used on numerous occasions 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 last section of the facade remained unfinished. The date 1754, engraved on the reverse of the pedestal of the Virgin that crowns the bell gable, indicates the year this work was completed.
The towers were originally designed by Andrés García de Quiñones to crown the Town Hall facade. The beautiful wooden model of the town hall, which shows similarities but also differences with those of the Clerecía, is preserved. In reality, Quiñones designed new towers for the Church of the Holy Spirit (Clerecía), with two superimposed octagonal sections. In the corners of the second section, he placed obelisks preceded by statues representing the Doctors of the Church, saints of the company, and Theological and Cardinal Virtues.
Since 2012, it has been possible to climb the towers of the Clerecía church. The route is called Scala Coeli (“Stairway to Heaven”). The ascent is made through the interior of the north tower. Through the original wooden staircase, one reaches the tribune from which the church's Main Altarpiece can be seen. From here, the staircase ascends in a zigzag pattern, clinging 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 route to climb the towers starts from the Study Cloister. It is made via a wooden staircase built in the 18th century. In total, there are almost two hundred steps (164 up to the first bell chamber). At the end of the first section of the staircase, we reach one of the tribunes, located above the epistle nave of the church, which are at the same height as the central body of the facade.
TRIBUNES
This space has preserved its original appearance, with clay tile floors and white whitewashed walls. The tribunes 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, one can contemplate the interior of the church, a privileged spot to admire the high altar and its magnificent Baroque altarpiece. For now, the exhibition route only occupies the tribune on the epistle side, although there are plans to extend it to both tribunes and the choir located at the foot of the church.
The exhibition space is divided into three rooms.
• In the first of these, titled «The Beginning and the End», the portraits of Doña Margarita of Austria and Philip III stand out, along with 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 to the history of the College after the expulsion of the Jesuits.
BELLRINGER'S STAIRCASE
The visit continues up the Bellringer's Staircase which leads to the church's towers. From the base, it is impressive to observe how the wooden structure rises, adhering to the walls inside the north tower, giving the sensation of being suspended in the air. From this point, the first body of the tower is reached.
TOWERS
Upon reaching the towers, we can enjoy splendid views of Salamanca's historic quarter. A passage located behind the facade's bell gable allows access to the southern 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 route to climb the towers starts from the Study Cloister. It is made via a wooden staircase built in the 18th century. In total, there are almost two hundred steps (164 up to the first bell chamber). At the end of the first section of the staircase, we reach one of the tribunes, located above the epistle nave of the church, which are at the same height as the central body of the facade.
TRIBUNES
This space has preserved its original appearance, with clay tile floors and white whitewashed walls. The tribunes 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, one can contemplate the interior of the church, a privileged spot to admire the high altar and its magnificent Baroque altarpiece. For now, the exhibition route only occupies the tribune on the epistle side, although there are plans to extend it to both tribunes and the choir located at the foot of the church.
The exhibition space is divided into three rooms.
• In the first of these, titled «The Beginning and the End», the portraits of Doña Margarita of Austria and Philip III stand out, along with 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 to the history of the College after the expulsion of the Jesuits.
BELLRINGER'S STAIRCASE
The visit continues up the Bellringer's Staircase which leads to the church's towers. From the base, it is impressive to observe how the wooden structure rises, adhering to the walls inside the north tower, giving the sensation of being suspended in the air. From this point, the first body of the tower is reached.
TOWERS
Upon reaching the towers, we can enjoy splendid views of Salamanca's historic quarter. A passage located behind the facade's bell gable allows access to the southern 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 tribune located above the epistle nave of the church, 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 the plans of the first 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 colleges of the Society in Spain and their American expansion.
• Stages of the building's construction: through five wooden models, one can see how the building evolved. The last model shows the final result, a majestic building
considered a masterpiece of the Baroque.
• Salamanca during the 18th century: a display case shows the first known map of Salamanca, made by the 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, one can contemplate the interior of the church, 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 damages suffered by the building in the 19th century.
• As a testimony to its recent history, the document creating 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 the plans of the first 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 colleges of the Society in Spain and their American expansion.
• Stages of the building's construction: through five wooden models, one can see how the building evolved. The last model shows the final result, a majestic building
considered a masterpiece of the Baroque.
• Salamanca during the 18th century: a display case shows the first known map of Salamanca, made by the 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, one can contemplate the interior of the church, 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 damages suffered by the building in the 19th century.
• As a testimony to its recent history, the document creating the Pontifical University in 1940 is displayed.