Plaza Mayor, Salamanca

The Plaza Mayor (English Main Plaza) in Salamanca, Spain is a large plaza located in the center of Salamanca, used as a public square. It was built in the traditional Spanish baroque style and is a popular gathering area. It is lined by restaurants, ice cream parlors, tourist shops, jewelry stores and a pharmacy along its perimeter except in front of the city hall. It is considered the heart of Salamanca and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful plazas in Spain. It is connected to the shopping area Calle del Toro from the northeast, Calle de Zamora from the north, the restaurants on Calle de Concejo from the northwest, Calle del Prior and the small Calle de la Caja de Ahorros from the west as well as Plaza del Corrillo from the south.

History

Construction of the plaza began in 1729 and was completed in 1755. Felipe V ordered the construction of the plaza to be used for bullfighting and was designed by the Churriguera family in sandstone. It had been used for bullfighting up until the mid-19th century, one hundred years after being completed. The construction took place in two phases: the first was between 1729 and 1735 and the second was between 1750 and 1755. The first phase was built under the direction of Alberto Churriguera while the second phase was built under the direction of Manuel de Larra Churriguera, his nephew. Finally, Andrés Garcia de Quiñones built the City Hall.

World heritage site

In 1988, UNESCO declared the old city of Salamanca a World Heritage Site. Today, there is a plaque placed in the center of the plaza marking its significance to boast the plaza's baroque-style beauty. Salamanca is known as La Dorada, "The Golden City" because of the glow of its sandstone buildings, which the Plaza Mayor represents at its core.

Design

The plaza is an irregular square and none of its facades measure the same height. The plaza's walls have three floors above its ground terrace level except for the main facade portion. The plaza has 6 entrances leading to different streets from opposite areas of the plaza and features a clock (El Reloj) tower and 5 larger facade entrances on only 2 floors on the frontal area under the clock. It features 88 arches raised on stout pillars and is decorated medallions on its many spandrels. The plaza also has 247 balconies of which now belong to private residents.

The plaza was originally designed to have 2 towers on each side of the clock, but were never completed based on fears that the portion would not be able to support the weight and thus the 1745 plan was used instead. The city hall is also located on this side of the plaza, also built in the baroque style with 5 granite arches and a steeple.

Movie location

  • Vantage Point

See also

  • Plaza
  • Plaza Mayor, Valladolid
  • Plaza Mayor, Madrid

External links

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Mason John
21 April 2011
Cervantes Restarant in the east corner is probably the best place to eat. Go upstairs to the first floor and snag a table overlooking the plaza. Remember locals eat lunch late so you are best off arr
Katalina Fernández
4 May 2013
Most beautiful square in the World! Order a beer at one of the cafés and and enjoy the view. People watchfor a while. Incredible experience, more so when the Tuna (traditional troubadours play)!
Daniel Kursa
21 January 2016
In the summertime you can have picnic right in the middle of the square and enjoy jarrs of fresh cold sangria from nearby tavernas :)
Leo DW8R
21 August 2016
One of the most beautiful squares in Spain, and in the world (definitely in the Top 10).
Jamie Watson
10 August 2017
Good views, lots of cafes and restaurants to sit and people watch
Yu-i
25 August 2012
If you want a beer with nice pinchos then go to streets around the plaza. Here they give you just chips to share but the view is worth it.
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