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Steeped
in history, Salamanca is a World Heritage
site, but much of its fame can be credited to its
institutions of learning.
Salamanca's main
sights:
Salamanca
Home
Bibliography
for Salamanca Pages
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Europe Destination Guide (TravelNow)
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Above
photo - The Catedral Vieja (old) and the
Catedral Nueva (new) viewed from the
Roman Bridge.
| The Old and New
Cathedrals are one building. The
Old Cathedral contains frescos
from the 1200’s. The 16th
century New Cathedral's walls
help to support the Old Cathedral.
Photo
right--A butcher shop in
Salamanca.
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Founded early in the 13th
century, the University of Salamanca
became one of the most important seats of
learning during the Middle Ages. Today
one of its big draws is its language
curriculum that caters to foreign
students.
Photo
above--The old library in the University
of Salamanca displaying books holding a
treasure of ancient knowledge.
| We
drove into Salamanca slightly
before noon and spying the
cathedral, we decided to try to
find an inexpensive hostal or
hotel near the old town. Soon we
were in heavy traffic and one-way
streets. While my companion
drove, I was given the
responsibility of sighting
potential accommodations. “There’s
one!” I pointed to a hotel
only a hundred feet ahead on the
left. But, where could we park?
Some two long blocks later, we were
finally able to change lanes to
the left. Two more blocks later,
we were able to turn left. I
stopped looking for hotels and
started looking for parking.
Following the signs to 'parking'
we turned down a narrow street;
we never found the parking but
soon we were not able to drive
forward. The street was blocked
by parked cars. While my driver
dealt with getting our car turned
around, I decide to check with
some of the hotels and hostales
in the immediate area. “No
reservation, no room.” I was
told by the clerks.
While
we eventually found a place to
stay in Salamanca, I was surprised
hotels near the old city were
reporting to be full during
October. Apparently, during the
school year students occupy a
number of the less expensive
accommodations of Salamanca,
making it harder for the tourist
to find a vacancy near the old
city.
Explore the The Old and New Cathedral of Seville |
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