Population:
180,000
Location: Midwest Part of Spain (Castilla y Léon)
 Salamanca
lies on a plateau by the Tormes river and is one of the most spectacular
Renaissance cities in Europe. Through the centuries, the sandstone
buildings have gained an exquisite golden glow which has given
Salamanca the nickname "La Dorada", the Golden City.
The origins of this UNESCO World Heritage City hark back to Celtic
times. Polybius, writing in the 2nd century BC, speaks of the
city, referring to it as Helmantik. The bridge is a witness to
Roman domination, and was constructed in the time of Trajan as
an essential part of the Silver Route as it forded the River Tormes.
At this point in history and again under subsequent Moorish occupation,
Salamanca vanishes as an urban entity.
 With
the advent of Alfonso VI in 1085, these lands were repopulated
withFranks, Galicians, mountain peoples (Serranos), Navarrese
and the like. Two centuries later, the creation of the so-called
Estudio Salmantino (literally Salamanca Study), subsequently converted
into a university by Alfonso X, was to prove the decisive event
in Salamanca's emergence as a universally acknowledged city of
culture. In 1218, Alfonso IX of Castilla and León, founded
the University of Salamanca. Today, it is one of the oldest universities
in Europe, and has helped to make Salamanca world famous.
 Salamanca
is large enough (180,000 inhabitants) to be able to offer the
advantages of a real city, but at the same time it keeps the intimacy
and charm of a small town. This has helped to make Salamanca an
enormously popular destination for people from all over the world
who want to learn Spanish while at the same time enjoying the
best that Spain has to offer.
You will find the people of
Salamanca to be warm and hospitable. Contacts are made easily,
and one of the best places to do this is at the Plaza Mayor, probably
the finest town square found anywhere in Spain. Throughout the
day and night, people congregate in the square to socialize, get
something to eat, or just sit down and have a glass of some of
the excellent local Spanish wines.
 The
area around Salamanca also offers many opportunities for cultural
andsporting day-trips to villages, the mountains, or to the many
surrounding lakes. Madrid is only 2 hours away, and the border
of Portugal is even closer!
Without a doubt, Salamanca
is an ideal location to learn Spanish and experience Spain. |
