This morning we left our boat and we left Portugal. We had been ported at the border of Portugal and Spain and spent the day driving towards Madrid.

We did get to spend a few hours in Salamanca on the way.

Plaza Mayor (town square). The square was built in the 18th century to be used for bullfighting. 

Around the perimeter of the square there are arches with plaques of various notable people. This is one of the Kings of Spain

And Miguel de Cervantes, author or Don Quixote.

The Casa de las Conchas (house of the shells). This is a 15th century building which was built by Rodrigo Maldonado de Talavera, a doctor at the court of Queen Isabel and member of the Order of Santiago, whose symbol is the scallop shell that decorates the building. Today this is a city library.

University of Salamanca facade. This is ornately carved.

One of the best known features of the facade is the skull with a frog on it (just left of center in this picture). It was originally meant to be a warning to students to have good, moral behavior. Now, as it is a challenge to find, it is considered good luck for students academic success to find it.

Ceiling in the cloister of the university.

The Chapel of San Jerónimo at the university.

The outer wall of the university. Historically, when students received their PhDs, they would write their names or initials along with a  “victor” symbol on the wall using a mixture of bull’s blood, olive oil, and herbs.

View of the Salamanca Cathedrals (the new (16th-17th century) and old (12th century) cathedrals are adjoined)

The facade of the new cathedral.

I always like to drop in the local markets.

It was a quick overview visit and a nice stop on the way to Madrid.