SAN VICENTE VIEWPOINT

The San Vicente Hill Archaeological Park is located in the southwestern tip of Salamanca's historic center, on the westernmost of the three hills that make up the historic city. This privileged location hosts a rich superposition of historical vestiges that chronicle the city's evolution over nearly three millennia.

At its summit, the oldest remains of Salamanca are preserved: an Early Iron Age settlement linked to the Soto de Medinilla culture (8th-4th century BC). Centuries later, in the Middle Ages, the Benedictine convent of San Vicente was erected there, which would be transformed into a military fort by Napoleonic troops during the Peninsular War. In June 1812, during the Battle of Salamanca, General Wellington's forces attacked and destroyed the fort, marking the beginning of its decline. Following the Disentailment and the eviction of the friars, the convent was sold, and its ruins were practically dismantled, with only some walls of the old convent cloister remaining. By the late 19th century, the hill began to be occupied by humble families who reused its remains to build their homes, transforming it into one of the city's poorest neighborhoods.

In 1949, during the construction of the Colegio Mayor Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, the remains of the prehistoric settlement were discovered. Decades later, this finding spurred an ambitious research and recovery project for the vestiges preserved on the hill. In 1997, the Master Plan for San Vicente Hill was drafted, regulating all interventions carried out in this space ever since. The hill has become an archaeological park where visitors can contemplate the adobe houses built during the Early Iron Age, as well as the museum erected in 2001 over the remains of the old cloister, now transformed into an interpretation center on the history of Salamanca. Work is currently underway on the renovation and exhibition of the remains of the prehistoric settlement and the batteries built by the French army during the Peninsular War. These works, once completed, will consolidate the hill as a unique space for understanding the city's historical evolution.

The San Vicente Viewpoint is part of the Salamanca Viewpoints Route, an invitation to rediscover the city from its most inspiring perspectives. Located in the western part of the historic center, this elevated and tranquil spot offers one of Salamanca's most spectacular panoramic views. From here, the gaze sweeps across a monumental landscape that condenses centuries of history and art.

In front of us stands the Teso de las Catedrales, separated from San Vicente Hill by the Vaguada de la Palma, through which the channelled Arroyo de los Milagros stream flows. The panorama begins to our left with the beautiful Baroque dome of La Purísima Church, and extends past the pavilions with galleries of the Pontifical University, reaching the imposing towers and domes of La Clerecía and the New Cathedral. In the center of this view, the Escuelas Mayores building stands out, an emblem of Salamanca's university legacy.

Until the Peninsular War, both hills were occupied by convents and university colleges, all of which were razed during the conflict. From this point, to our left, the Castilla y León Congress and Exhibition Palace can be seen, erected on the former site of the Colegio Mayor de Oviedo. Further on, at the Botanical Garden site, visitors can explore the ruins of the Colegio de Cuenca and the Convent of San Agustín. To the right is the Faculty of Sciences, built on the location once occupied by the Colegio del Rey, of the Military Order of Santiago.

The edge of the hill, known as Peña Celestina, preserves in collective memory the presence of the old procuress, protagonist of the celebrated literary work. On that very spot, the Alcázar de San Juan was built in the Middle Ages, on whose site the Convent of San Cayetano was later erected, and more recently, departments of the Faculty of Sciences. A section of Salamanca's medieval wall, known as the Cerca Vieja, is still preserved on the cliff face of the hill.

As evening falls, especially in summer, the sunlight bathes the buildings in reddish hues, transforming the city into a golden canvas. And when night arrives, the monumental illumination turns this viewpoint into a privileged balcony from which to contemplate Salamanca under a starry sky.

• VISUAL EXPERIENCE: At each of these points, totems have been installed that include a stand for taking self-portraits. Through a QR code, visitors can quickly capture their photos and share them on social media, becoming the city's best ambassadors.

• AUDIO EXPERIENCE: To complement the Viewpoints Route, we invite you to listen to the songs of Salamanca singer-songwriter Gabriel Calvo, which you can find on the Viewpoints Route website, thus enriching your experience with melodies that capture the essence of our city.