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travel - Salamanca

Salamanca: The World’s Favorite City

by Andre Nakazawa
For a city most well-known for its historical university, Salamanca offers surprisingly more than parchment and scholarship. From breath-taking plazas to renaissance architecture and bumpin’ discos, this city offers something for everyone...

Salamanca

by Andre Nakazawa

For a city most well-known for its historical university, Salamanca offers surprisingly more than parchment and scholarship. From breath-taking plazas to renaissance architecture and bumpin’ discos, this city offers something for everyone. And, as subjective as I may sound, there is something of objectivity in all of this: Salamanca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the 2002 European Capital of Culture. It seems the world agrees – this city is simply stunning.

The University of Salamanca, itself, is, however, the number one attraction for visitors and shouldn’t be missed. For 2.50 euros you can tour the halls of one of 13^th century’s “four leading lights of the world” – the other illuminating centers of education at the time were the universities of Paris, Bologna, and Oxford.

During the guided tour (in Spanish) you can learn about the quirks of the place. Thought your finals were hard? If a student didn’t pass his exams, he was publicly humiliated and then thrown into the nearby river. I think it’s safe to say grade inflation was the least of anybody’s worries at this point in history.

On to the stunning Plaza Mayor that lies just up the street, said by many to be the most beautiful plaza in Spain - your correspondent can corroborate this. It's perhaps the most pleasant place in the entire world to lick an ice-cream cone sitting cross-legged with fellow guiris while soaking up the spring sun.

If you want to see for yourself the bridge from which the Salamancan slackers of yesteryear were thrown after failing, head down to the Puente Romano, which was built in Roman times over the Tormes River. Also worth seeing are the two cathedrals, one new (built in 1512, so not that new), the other old, which was built around the same time that the University was constructed (early 13th century).

And, of course, with any university, comes the university nightlife, albeit enjoyed by more than just the undergrads and extranjeros. Salamanca pops to life when the sun sets - many revelers starting off their tasca (bar) hop beginning at Bambu. Here tapas are replaced by what could be considered menu del dias (full meals) - served with whatever beverage you choose. A 15-minute stroll from the city center lies Van Dyck street, where the tapa bars are filled with more Salamancans than tourists. Once again the tapas are just as hefty as portions as Bambu.

When you’re ready to dance your tapas off, head to Camelot, a dance club located in a former monastery of all places. The Big Man Upstairs is either shakin’ his thang with you, or, disapprovingly scowling at your sinning self, depending on your outlook. Regardless, the interior is a beautiful historical relic; it just so happens to be filled with calimocho and hot, sweaty 20-somethin’s until the wee hours of the morning.

A city of contrasts and a city of historical beauty, Salamanca makes for the perfect weekend trip from Madrid. Bus tickets can be purchased from Auto-Res for around 20 Euros and the trip takes only 3 hours. Outbound, keep an eye out for a spectacular view of the walled city of Avila (on your left). And, if you are coming back at night, it is, perhaps, even more enchanting lit up. A perfect ending to a perfect get-away.