I am happy to current a brand new publish from Catherine, a member of the Solo Travel Society on Facebook and a contributor to Solo Traveler. Cat is from Canada and submitted the next report about solo journey to Salamanca, Spain. Do you have got a solo journey vacation spot that you just wish to suggest? Submit your description right here, together with just a few photographs, and share it with fellow vacationers!
Solo Travel Rating: 1 (1 is best, 3 is most troublesome. Please see chart under)
Languages Spoken: Spanish, English
Costs at Destination: Reasonable (native transportation, eating, excursions, occasions, and points of interest)
Solo Travel to Salamanca: Watch Your Step!
You know these locations the place you go searching and don’t even know the place to start since you’re in awe of completely all the pieces?
Where you’re continuously tripping over the cobbled streets since you’re wanting up and round and never the place you’re going?
For me, that’s Salamanca, Spain.
Salamanca, a small metropolis within the Castile y León area of Spain, is most well-known for its college, which, having been based in 1218, is the oldest in Spain and one of many oldest on the planet.
The metropolis dates again to Celtic occasions and went by way of the same ebbs and flows as the remainder of Spain all through the centuries. Having been conquered by the Romans and Muslims, finally altering palms to the Catholic kings, Salamanca reached the peak of its splendor within the sixteenth Century.
These days, college students give this UNESCO Heritage Site a youthful vibrancy as fashionable bars and eating places intermingle amongst centuries of non secular and mental historical past. It’s the very best of each worlds.
From college students coming from throughout Spain to get together, to these of us desirous to discover the historic websites and finish the day with a glass of wine in floodlit Plaza Mayor, Salamanca has one thing to supply everybody for a weekend away. And spending an evening here’s a should.
While the trendy metropolis is considerably underwhelming, the previous city is the place you will see that probably the most spectacular structure and all the main vacationer points of interest.
Plaza Mayor
All roads result in the magnificent Plaza Mayor. I’ve seen a variety of Plaza Mayors round Spain, and I’ve to say, this is likely one of the finest! Day and night time, the plaza is filled with vacationers and locals alike, sitting on the many terraces having fun with espresso and tapas or wandering round in awe of the intricate particulars of the encompassing buildings.
Construction of Plaza Mayor started in 1729 and was constructed within the Spanish Baroque model. Like the remainder of the previous metropolis, it was constructed in sandstone, which supplies it that breathtaking glow that appears to maneuver with the sunshine.
It was used for bullfighting up till the mid-Nineteenth Century, however is now full of retailers, eating places, non-public residences and City Hall. Today, it’s the town’s lounge.
Salamanca University
The oldest repeatedly working college is right here in Salamanca. Attracting individuals from throughout Spain and the remainder of the world, there are some 30,000 college students in undergraduate and graduate packages at this top-ranked college.
The college is a crucial place for the research of the humanities, languages, legislation, and economics and is the house of quite a few analysis facilities, specifically for most cancers and neuroscience.
There can also be an interesting historical past of sorcery and black magic right here on the faculty!
Salamanca Cathedral(s)
Salamanca Cathedral is definitely two — the previous and the brand new, joined collectively.
The Old Cathedral was constructed within the Romanesque model and dates from the twelfth to thirteenth Centuries. The New Cathedral was constructed within the sixteenth Century with Gothic and Baroque options.
The interweaving of the completely different types could be seen within the Cathedral’s exceptional dome, choir, sculptures, and pillars, which take guests on an interesting and wealthy inventive journey by way of the centuries.
Solo Travel to Salamanca Requires Finding the Famous Frog
If you’re not acquainted with the fabled frog of the University of Salamanca, you’ll quickly develop into acquainted with it. In each vacationer store, mugs, pens, magnets, and t-shirts are adorned with this little inexperienced amphibian.
Why is that this?
The frog is alleged to signify the story of Prince Juan of Seville who, in 1497, died when he was simply a youngster, previous to the completion of this façade. The educational neighborhood believes that the frog is an homage to Dr. Parra, who tried to save lots of the prince’s life, therefore the nickname La Parrita, or Little Parra.
Superstition has it that when first-time college students arrive on the University of Salamanca, it’s a ceremony of passage to attempt to find the teeny frog carved into the detail-filled sixteenth Century façade of the primary constructing of the University. If yow will discover it, educational success is assured for the yr forward.
Despite my college days being lengthy behind me, I used to be up for the problem. I admit that I did cheat just a little as a result of I didn’t have all day to seek for this wee creature. I had tapas to eat!
Spoiler alert forward…
Face the doorways and search for and to the proper. He sits atop a cranium. Now, go get pleasure from your tapas!
Cielo de Salamanca
It is forbidden to take images of the portray of the Cielo de Salamanca (not that this stops anybody), however belief me, that is one thing to not be missed.
Created within the 1480’s and now situated within the Escuelas Menores of the University of Salamanca, this beautiful painted vault highlights the research and information of astronomy within the fifteenth Century. Astrology lovers will get pleasure from craning their necks to seek out their zodiac signal and favourite constellation.
Casa de las Conchas
The Casa de las Conchas is certainly the good public library I’ve ever been to. It’s free to take a step inside and stroll across the stunning patio which doubles as an exhibition corridor.
Having walked the Camino de Santiago, I’m significantly keen on the façade, which is adorned with over 300 scallop shells, the image of the Camino. “The Camino House”, as I wish to name it, was constructed from 1493 by way of 1517 by Rodrigo Arias de Maldonado. He was a professor on the University of Salamanca and a knight of the Order of Santiago de Compostela. This constructing can also be a significant cease for the pilgrims who cross by way of Salamanca whereas strolling the Via de la Plata route of the Camino de Santiago.
Some different fascinating particulars which adorn this Gothic constructing are the coat of arms of the Catholic monarchs, 4 differently-shaped home windows, the coat of arms of the Maldonado household, dolphins — the Renaissance image of affection, and completely different greens. But the shells are definitely probably the most distinguished and attention-grabbing.
Roman Bridge
Take a stroll over the traditional Roman bridge and observe the previous heart from the opposite aspect of the Tormes River.
Dating again to the first Century, throughout Roman rule, this bridge was constructed as a crossing on the Via de la Plata, connecting Mérida and Astorga.
Now solely used for pedestrians, this bridge has undergone a number of repairs and reconstructions because of the flooding and visitors it has endured over the centuries.
Today, it makes for a pleasant stroll providing sweeping views of the river and previous metropolis heart.
Casa Lis
This magnificent mansion is a celebration of the Art Deco and Art Nouveau types. It was constructed within the early 1900’s for Miguel de Lis, a rich enterprise proprietor who ran a profitable tanning manufacturing unit.
It has modified palms many occasions all through the century, finally falling into disrepair within the 1970’s. In 1981, the City of Salamanca reclaimed and repaired this elegant constructing. It now homes an in depth assortment of ornamental arts from the Nineteenth Century by way of World War II.
When you journey solo to Salamanca, you possibly can see fascinating artifacts together with sculptures, followers, glasswork, and an excellent assortment of dolls. For anybody who loves knickknacks, that is the place for you!
Be certain to take a break to marvel on the beautiful stained glass and examine of the river from the quaint cafe.
Convent of San Esteban
The Convent of San Esteban might be my favourite place in Salamanca. On my night stroll, the winding streets led me right here and I used to be so taken with the beautifully-floodlit stonework. The element is actually astonishing.
Completed in 1610 for the Dominican order, this grand web site consists of a church, vestry, cloister and chapter homes, along with the University’s Faculty of Theology.
While probably the most intricate particulars and ornate work could be discovered on the church’s façade, a stroll by way of the inside will supply a rewarding glimpse into the historical past and lifetime of the monastic order who occupied this house.
Travel Solo to Salamanca and Enjoy the Central Market
Markets are a spotlight of any Spanish metropolis. Solo journey to Salamanca can embrace mixing with the locals right here and feeling the pulsating chaos of everybody clamoring to purchase the freshest catch of the day or straight-out-of-the-oven loaves of bread.
At 103 years previous, Central Market is the oldest in Salamanca. Located just some steps from Plaza Mayor and the primary purchasing space of the town, this can be a pleasant place to soak up the fascinating structure and stained glass, and decide up jamón and queso for a picnic lunch from a few of its 53 stalls.
While you can not go unsuitable in Spain for wonderful solo locations, Salamanca is likely one of the finest.
I stayed on the cheerful Hotel Aragón for a budget-friendly 35 euros an evening for a single non-public room. While just a little dated, the placement is incredible and the workers are very type and useful.
There is not any scarcity of decisions for meals, and Salamanca has all the pieces from Michelin starred eating places to Burger King. I had distinctive tapas at Tapas 2.0 and loved wine and a snack at Nero Salamanca, in Plaza Mayor.
Don’t overlook about Spain’s well-known menús del día the place, for a really reasonably priced set value, normally round 12 to fifteen euros (dearer on weekends), you obtain a starter, foremost course, and dessert together with a drink. These are all over the place, so seize a seat exterior and watch the world go by as you get pleasure from your grand meal!
Salamanca is a fast two and a half hours by bus from Madrid and makes for a terrific day journey and an excellent higher in a single day. Spend time surveying all the tiny particulars within the elaborate structure, benefit from the relaxed vibe over wine and attractive tapas, and dip by way of the various open doorways — there are surprises round each nook on this pleasant little metropolis.
Solo Travel Rating for Salamanca
- Safety – 1 (1 very secure, 2 secure in most areas, 3 be cautious always.)
- Language – 2 (1 English is first language, 2 English audio system simple to seek out, 3 English audio system uncommon)
- Navigation – 1 (1 simple to navigate by transit or automotive, 2 poor transit, automotive vital, 3 not simple to get round)
- Culture – 1 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above however relaxed and simple, 3 Challenging)
- Average Rating – 1 (1 is best, 3 is most troublesome)
Last up to date: third February, 2023