CALIXTO AND MELIBEA GROUND
35 minutes
Behind the cathedrals of Salamanca and on the adarve of the old wall, hides the Orchard of Calixto and Melibea, a corner of history, literature and nature. Its name refers to the famous lovers of La Celestina, the immortal work of Fernando de Rojas, whose legend places in this place the scene of his furtive encounters. At the entrance, a sculpture by Agustín Casillas pays homage to the figure of the old pimp, symbol of intrigue and deception. The space was acquired by the City Council in 1981 and transformed into a public garden, becoming an oasis of lush vegetation, an islet of greenery that emerges in the middle of the stone sea of the historic center of Salamanca. It is a place that invites to the quiet walk, to the leisurely reading or simply to be enveloped by the intimate atmosphere that emanates from the garden. From its two viewpoints there are privileged views of the cathedrals and the nearby convent of San Esteban.
Located behind the Cathedrals, you reach it through the Calle del Arcediano, a street that until not many years ago retained its typism and its emblazoned houses. Before accessing the garden, it is recommended to stop for a moment and contemplate one of the most impressive prints of the city. In front of us is the Romanesque apse of the Old Cathedral, crowned by the unique Torre del Gallo. Next to it are the bell tower and the imposing dome of the New Cathedral. A unique architectural spectacle that reaches its maximum beauty at nightfall, when the lighting enhances every detail and envelops the whole in a magical atmosphere.
At the entrance of the Orchard, behind the grid that is on the left, there is a bust of Celestina, the work of the Salamancan sculptor Agustín Casillas. On the opposite side is the Casa de la Calera, converted into a hostel for pilgrims who travel the Via de la Plata in the direction of Santiago de Compostela.
To pass through the half-point arch is to enter a verge. The Orchard of Calixto and Melibea has more than two thousand square meters of fruit trees, aromatic plants and shrubs. The orchard has a well with granite drill, a fountain and pergolas that offer shade and freshness during the warm Salamancan summers. This corner comes alive with the presence of students, lovers who leave padlocks in the well as a testimony of their eternal love and visitors who are attracted by the romantic legend of Calixto and Melibea, whose echo still seems to resonate among the trees and corners of the garden.
The Garden is located on the old wall, its height offers magnificent views of the cathedral. There are many Salamancans and tourists who come to this place to enjoy the sunset, when the golden light caresses the centuries-old stones. At night, with the city lit up the show is great. It is an ideal place to walk, read or simply let yourself be carried away by the magical atmosphere that evokes the literary work that gives name to this garden.
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Located behind the Cathedrals, you reach it through the Calle del Arcediano, a street that until not many years ago retained its typism and its emblazoned houses. Before accessing the garden, it is recommended to stop for a moment and contemplate one of the most impressive prints of the city. In front of us is the Romanesque apse of the Old Cathedral, crowned by the unique Torre del Gallo. Next to it are the bell tower and the imposing dome of the New Cathedral. A unique architectural spectacle that reaches its maximum beauty at nightfall, when the lighting enhances every detail and envelops the whole in a magical atmosphere.
At the entrance of the Orchard, behind the grid that is on the left, there is a bust of Celestina, the work of the Salamancan sculptor Agustín Casillas. On the opposite side is the Casa de la Calera, converted into a hostel for pilgrims who travel the Via de la Plata in the direction of Santiago de Compostela.
To pass through the half-point arch is to enter a verge. The Orchard of Calixto and Melibea has more than two thousand square meters of fruit trees, aromatic plants and shrubs. The orchard has a well with granite drill, a fountain and pergolas that offer shade and freshness during the warm Salamancan summers. This corner comes alive with the presence of students, lovers who leave padlocks in the well as a testimony of their eternal love and visitors who are attracted by the romantic legend of Calixto and Melibea, whose echo still seems to resonate among the trees and corners of the garden.
The Garden is located on the old wall, its height offers magnificent views of the cathedral. There are many Salamancans and tourists who come to this place to enjoy the sunset, when the golden light caresses the centuries-old stones. At night, with the city lit up the show is great. It is an ideal place to walk, read or simply let yourself be carried away by the magical atmosphere that evokes the literary work that gives name to this garden.
Free visit price
- Individual - 0.00 €
SCULPTURE OF CELESTINE
At the entrance, next to an old wall covered with vines, immediately draws attention a magnificent black moral that gives shade to the sculpture of the alcahueta, probably heir to those mulberry plantations promoted in Salamanca between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries for the breeding of the silkworm. Next to the moral a fountain and stone benches create a romantic corner coined by the murmur of water.
HOUSE OF THE WATER
On the right is the Casa de la Calera, place where the lime was kept that was used for the construction of the New Cathedral and that at some point also served as the printing press of the University. Today it hosts the Alberque of pilgrims who travel the Via de la Plata in the direction of Santiago.
THE GARDEN
A stone wall, in which a half-point arch opens with large dovelas, gives access to a lush garden. The rich vegetation, the trees that barely let light and legend pass, hypnotize those who cross this door. The main path leads to the well, around which the structure of the garden of irregular and terraced plant is articulated. The space is divided into 16 parterres delimited by boj hedges with their interior spaces occupied by fruit trees between which a varied vegetation of plants and shrubs are interspersed. Walking today through the Orchard of Calixto and Melibea is to tour a space that preserves the memory of its past as an orchard, transformed today into an urban garden full of life and botanical diversity. Its paths meander among fruit trees, medicinal plants, ornamental species and others associated with ancient beliefs and magical uses.
THE SOURCE AND THE DIE
At the entrance, next to an old wall covered with vines, immediately draws attention a magnificent black moral that gives shade to the sculpture of the alcahueta, probably heir to those mulberry plantations promoted in Salamanca between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries for the breeding of the silkworm. Next to the moral a fountain and stone benches create a romantic corner coined by the murmur of water.
THE POZO
In the heart of the garden stands a well with granite drill, silent witness of countless love stories, represented in the many padlocks that hang from its arch and that connects it directly with the work of Rojas.
THE LOOKER OF THE MURALLA
The southern area the garden rises above the wall, with two viewpoints located on two towers of the medieval fence. Strolling through its wide adarve is a pleasure for the senses and the best viewpoint over the cathedral and over the immense Convent of San Esteban.
THE GARDEN OF VISIR
Thanks to the lower lushness of the vegetation, this point allows a clear view of the dome of the New Cathedral and the Bell Tower. Right here the selfie spot has been installed, a perfect place to capture a self-portrait against this exceptional backdrop.
From the viewpoint of the Jardin del Visir, located on a tower of the wall, you can also see the striking stained glass windows of Casa Lis.
At the entrance, next to an old wall covered with vines, immediately draws attention a magnificent black moral that gives shade to the sculpture of the alcahueta, probably heir to those mulberry plantations promoted in Salamanca between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries for the breeding of the silkworm. Next to the moral a fountain and stone benches create a romantic corner coined by the murmur of water.
HOUSE OF THE WATER
On the right is the Casa de la Calera, place where the lime was kept that was used for the construction of the New Cathedral and that at some point also served as the printing press of the University. Today it hosts the Alberque of pilgrims who travel the Via de la Plata in the direction of Santiago.
THE GARDEN
A stone wall, in which a half-point arch opens with large dovelas, gives access to a lush garden. The rich vegetation, the trees that barely let light and legend pass, hypnotize those who cross this door. The main path leads to the well, around which the structure of the garden of irregular and terraced plant is articulated. The space is divided into 16 parterres delimited by boj hedges with their interior spaces occupied by fruit trees between which a varied vegetation of plants and shrubs are interspersed. Walking today through the Orchard of Calixto and Melibea is to tour a space that preserves the memory of its past as an orchard, transformed today into an urban garden full of life and botanical diversity. Its paths meander among fruit trees, medicinal plants, ornamental species and others associated with ancient beliefs and magical uses.
THE SOURCE AND THE DIE
At the entrance, next to an old wall covered with vines, immediately draws attention a magnificent black moral that gives shade to the sculpture of the alcahueta, probably heir to those mulberry plantations promoted in Salamanca between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries for the breeding of the silkworm. Next to the moral a fountain and stone benches create a romantic corner coined by the murmur of water.
THE POZO
In the heart of the garden stands a well with granite drill, silent witness of countless love stories, represented in the many padlocks that hang from its arch and that connects it directly with the work of Rojas.
THE LOOKER OF THE MURALLA
The southern area the garden rises above the wall, with two viewpoints located on two towers of the medieval fence. Strolling through its wide adarve is a pleasure for the senses and the best viewpoint over the cathedral and over the immense Convent of San Esteban.
THE GARDEN OF VISIR
Thanks to the lower lushness of the vegetation, this point allows a clear view of the dome of the New Cathedral and the Bell Tower. Right here the selfie spot has been installed, a perfect place to capture a self-portrait against this exceptional backdrop.
From the viewpoint of the Jardin del Visir, located on a tower of the wall, you can also see the striking stained glass windows of Casa Lis.