I arrived here for the Festival of St John, the Patron of Salamanca, for some running of the bulls, however I was told the only bulls in the city right now are dead ones in the museum!! Never mind, This city has so much to offer with some of the most impressive baroque-style architecture in Spain and possibly the most beautiful square in Europe - (Yes much better than the squares in Venice and Brussels!). In fact, Salamanca would be one of the most amazing cities I have ever seen (at least in the top 5!). I must have taken 150 photos so far and I have another day tomorrow. Some highlights - apart from the usual stunning cathedrals. BTW here they have two side by side, the old one (from the 14th century) and the new one (1700!).
No matter where you walk in Salamanca there is something to see. The Casa de las Conchas (the House of Shells) is a Gothic style building, constructed in the late 15th century and has over 300 seashells carved onto the wall. Further on, I find another magical place: the Cave of Salamanca. It’s said the devil himself, disguised as a sacristan, used to teach black magic here to seven chosen pupils every night. After finishing the lessons, he was supposed to keep one of them, randomly chosen. One of the unlucky ones, was able to escape, but the devil caught his shadow, marking him as unholy for the rest of his life. It was then onto a display created in the 1930s as propaganda against the Freemasons. During the years of the Spanish Civil War and later the Franco dictatorship, Freemasons were forbidden and all Masonic paraphernalia was seized in order to be exposed. To exhibit the stolen objects, an entire replica Masonic lodge was created based on a real lodge. Interesting the display was not opened to the public until 1993! I then walked to the other side of the amazing Plaza Mayor to Piaza Liceo for a parade of big heads. I have no idea what this was about but it was pretty funny! In fact, all over the city today there were parades, bands, costumes and celebrations for the Festival.
Salamanca is one of the most fascinating cities I’ve visited in Europe. Its ornate sandstone and historic architecture is everywhere. It is one of Spain’s most beautiful places.
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