Salamanca’s Plaza Mayor

Salamanca, Spain

While my home is in Seattle, my heart will always be in Salamanca. While in college and post-college I spent time living in this city just two hours outside of Madrid. The city, a bustling college town, never disappoints with its beautiful sandstone architecture dating back almost 1,000 years and the many cafés and bars providing gathering places for students. What I loved most about living here were my daily walks through the heart of the city: The Plaza Mayor. Sunny days were spent sitting at a café sipping on a café con leche and watching the city pass before me at the Plaza Mayor. During the morning hours, older gentlemen stroll the Plaza, catching up on the weather and life. Afternoons are bustling with people enjoying a quick bite to eat or passing through on their way home to the afternoon siesta. The Plaza Mayor springs to life in the evenings while tapas are being served and evening bar hopping plans are being made.

Little known fact: Medallions of Spanish kings and heroes adorn the plaza. The medallion of Franco, the Spanish dictator who ruled for over three decades, is never free of vandalism. Although the dictator died in 1975, there is a deep-rooted disdain for Franco and his medallion is often covered in black spray paint or egg.

Other Salamanca Must Sees: Casa de las Conchas, Puente Romano, Las Catedrales, Nueva y Vieja. Be sure to find the frog at La Fachada, at the University.

Off the beaten path: Ciudad Rodrigo. An authentic bullfight without the tourists, Carnaval del Toro occurs once a year, around the time of Lent.

Date of Completion: Summer 2000; 2002-2003