SCALA COELI. TOWERS OF CLERENCY
40 minutes
Salamanca has two impressive historical viewpoints that allow you to admire the city from above: Ieronimus, located in the towers of the Cathedral, and Scala Coeli, in the towers of the Clerecía. Both observation points provide a unique panorama, revealing unpublished and spectacular angles of the urban fabric and its monumental richness. Scala Coeli (Stairway to Heaven) is the tour of the towers of the church of La Clerecía, former Royal College of the Holy Spirit, where today the Pontifical University is located. The tour has a first stop in the grandstands of the church. In this space, visitors can learn through models the different phases of construction of the building, 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 you can admire impressive panoramic views with multiple perspectives of the city.
Exploring Salamanca from above reveals an unprecedented facet of the city. From the Torres de la Clerecía its squares, streets and monuments acquire a new meaning. revealing details and nuances that can only be appreciated from these heights. It is especially interesting to discover the courtyards and cloisters of palaces and convents, many of which are hidden from our eyes when we are at street level.
The tour of Scala Coeli begins in the noble floor of the Cloister of Studies. A narrow wooden staircase leads us to the first stop, the grandstands of the church. Here, through panels and models, we can know the history of the building. From one of the balconies open to the interior of the church we can contemplate in all its splendor the imposing baroque altarpiece of the main chapel..
This space is divided into three rooms. The first one, entitled ‘The beginning and the end’, highlights the portraits of Doña Margarita de Austria and Felipe III, and the documentation on the foundation of the Royal College of the Society of Jesus. The second room is dedicated to the construction of the building and the third to the rebirth of the building after the damage caused by the war episodes of the nineteenth century.
The visit continues along the Campanero Staircase that takes us to the towers. From the top we can enjoy spectacular views of the historic city. In both towers there is the possibility of climbing up to the body of bells through a modern spiral staircase.
At certain times of the year, especially in the summer months, both Ieronimus (Towers of the Cathedrals) and Scala Coeli open their doors for night visits. These allow you to discover Salamanca from a new perspective, with the city illuminated, providing a unique experience for those who want to see the magic offered by the city illuminated.
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office or previously through the Salamancaymas website (https://salamancaymas.es/vita-ignatii-scala-coeli/).
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Exploring Salamanca from above reveals an unprecedented facet of the city. From the Torres de la Clerecía its squares, streets and monuments acquire a new meaning. revealing details and nuances that can only be appreciated from these heights. It is especially interesting to discover the courtyards and cloisters of palaces and convents, many of which are hidden from our eyes when we are at street level.
The tour of Scala Coeli begins in the noble floor of the Cloister of Studies. A narrow wooden staircase leads us to the first stop, the grandstands of the church. Here, through panels and models, we can know the history of the building. From one of the balconies open to the interior of the church we can contemplate in all its splendor the imposing baroque altarpiece of the main chapel..
This space is divided into three rooms. The first one, entitled ‘The beginning and the end’, highlights the portraits of Doña Margarita de Austria and Felipe III, and the documentation on the foundation of the Royal College of the Society of Jesus. The second room is dedicated to the construction of the building and the third to the rebirth of the building after the damage caused by the war episodes of the nineteenth century.
The visit continues along the Campanero Staircase that takes us to the towers. From the top we can enjoy spectacular views of the historic city. In both towers there is the possibility of climbing up to the body of bells through a modern spiral staircase.
At certain times of the year, especially in the summer months, both Ieronimus (Towers of the Cathedrals) and Scala Coeli open their doors for night visits. These allow you to discover Salamanca from a new perspective, with the city illuminated, providing a unique experience for those who want to see the magic offered by the city illuminated.
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office or previously through the Salamancaymas website (https://salamancaymas.es/vita-ignatii-scala-coeli/).
Free visit price
- Individual - 3.75 €
- Grupos (Número mínimo: 5) - 3.25 €
- Niños (Edad máxima: 12) - 0.00 €
SCALE
The route to climb the towers starts from the Cloister of Studies. It is made through a wooden staircase built in the 18th century. In total there are almost two hundred steps (164 to the first body of bells). At the end of the first flight of the staircase we reach one of the grandstands, located on the nave of the epistle of the church, which coincide in height with the central body of the facade.
COURTS
This space has retained its original appearance, with clay tiled floors and whitewashed walls. The grandstands in the churches of the Jesuits were designed so that the novices could follow the liturgical celebrations, reflecting the strong educational and contemplative orientation of the Society of Jesus. From one of the balconies you can contemplate the interior of the church, a privileged place to admire the main altar and its magnificent baroque altarpiece. At the moment, the route of the exhibition only occupies the tribune on the side of the epistle, although it is planned to extend it to the two tribunes and the choir located at the foot of the church.
The exhibition space is divided into three rooms.
• In the first of them, under the title of "The beginning and the end", the portraits of Doña Margarita of Austria and Felipe III stand out, and the documentation on the foundation of the Royal College of the Company of
Jesus.
• The second room is dedicated to the construction of the building.
• The third to the history of the College from the expulsion of the Jesuits.
CAMPAIGN SCALE
The visit continues along the Bellman's Staircase that leads to the church towers. From the base, it is impressive to observe how the wooden structure rises attached to the walls by the interior of the north tower, giving the feeling of being suspended in the air. From this point, the first body of the tower is reached.
Arriving at the towers we can enjoy splendid views of the historic center of Salamanca. A transit located behind the scaffold of the facade allows access to the southern tower. The whole city is at our feet: the Cloister of Studies, the New Cathedral, San Esteban, La Casa de las Conchas, Fonseca ...
BODY OF CAMPANAS
In both towers a modern spiral staircase allows access to the body of bells.
The route to climb the towers starts from the Cloister of Studies. It is made through a wooden staircase built in the 18th century. In total there are almost two hundred steps (164 to the first body of bells). At the end of the first flight of the staircase we reach one of the grandstands, located on the nave of the epistle of the church, which coincide in height with the central body of the facade.
COURTS
This space has retained its original appearance, with clay tiled floors and whitewashed walls. The grandstands in the churches of the Jesuits were designed so that the novices could follow the liturgical celebrations, reflecting the strong educational and contemplative orientation of the Society of Jesus. From one of the balconies you can contemplate the interior of the church, a privileged place to admire the main altar and its magnificent baroque altarpiece. At the moment, the route of the exhibition only occupies the tribune on the side of the epistle, although it is planned to extend it to the two tribunes and the choir located at the foot of the church.
The exhibition space is divided into three rooms.
• In the first of them, under the title of "The beginning and the end", the portraits of Doña Margarita of Austria and Felipe III stand out, and the documentation on the foundation of the Royal College of the Company of
Jesus.
• The second room is dedicated to the construction of the building.
• The third to the history of the College from the expulsion of the Jesuits.
CAMPAIGN SCALE
The visit continues along the Bellman's Staircase that leads to the church towers. From the base, it is impressive to observe how the wooden structure rises attached to the walls by the interior of the north tower, giving the feeling of being suspended in the air. From this point, the first body of the tower is reached.
Arriving at the towers we can enjoy splendid views of the historic center of Salamanca. A transit located behind the scaffold of the facade allows access to the southern tower. The whole city is at our feet: the Cloister of Studies, the New Cathedral, San Esteban, La Casa de las Conchas, Fonseca ...
BODY OF CAMPANAS
In both towers a modern spiral staircase allows access to the body of bells.
In the tribune located on the nave of the epistle of the church an exhibition has been installed in which, through panels and models, we can know the history of the Royal College. The space has been divided into three rooms:
ROOM 1. THE BEGINNING AND THE FIN
Brief summary of the history of the Royal College of the Holy Spirit in which they are exposed:
• The portraits of the founders: Kings Philip III and Margaret of Austria.
• The history of the foundation of the Royal College of the Society of Jesus.
• The school of the Society of Jesus after the expulsion of the Jesuits.
Room 2. SOCIETIES IESU DOMUS SALMANTICENSIS.
• About the beginnings of the construction of the building: shows the plans of the first project, attributed to Friar Alberto de la Madre de Dios.
• On the precedents and influence of other historical buildings, especially the Monastery of El Escorial.
• The Company's schools in Spain and its American expansion.
• Construction stages of the building: Through five wooden models you 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: in a showcase shows the known foreground of Salamanca, made by the architect Jerónimo García de Quiñones in 1789.
• Several 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
its impact on the design of the building
• From the balcony that rises above the cruise you can contemplate the interior of the church, a privileged place to admire the main altar and its magnificent baroque altarpiece.
Room 3. A NEW RENACER
• Several black and white photographs show the damage suffered by the building in the 19th century.
• As a testimony to its recent history is shown the document of creation of the Pontifical University in 1940.
ROOM 1. THE BEGINNING AND THE FIN
Brief summary of the history of the Royal College of the Holy Spirit in which they are exposed:
• The portraits of the founders: Kings Philip III and Margaret of Austria.
• The history of the foundation of the Royal College of the Society of Jesus.
• The school of the Society of Jesus after the expulsion of the Jesuits.
Room 2. SOCIETIES IESU DOMUS SALMANTICENSIS.
• About the beginnings of the construction of the building: shows the plans of the first project, attributed to Friar Alberto de la Madre de Dios.
• On the precedents and influence of other historical buildings, especially the Monastery of El Escorial.
• The Company's schools in Spain and its American expansion.
• Construction stages of the building: Through five wooden models you 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: in a showcase shows the known foreground of Salamanca, made by the architect Jerónimo García de Quiñones in 1789.
• Several 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
its impact on the design of the building
• From the balcony that rises above the cruise you can contemplate the interior of the church, a privileged place to admire the main altar and its magnificent baroque altarpiece.
Room 3. A NEW RENACER
• Several black and white photographs show the damage suffered by the building in the 19th century.
• As a testimony to its recent history is shown the document of creation of the Pontifical University in 1940.