SALAMANCA 40.9701° N, 5.6635° W
With some substantial history,
intellectual clout and a buzzing
student population in its midst, the
magical city of Salamanca bridges the
best of ancient and modern Spain.
Despite its relatively small proportions, the medieval
city of Salamanca, located in northwestern Spain,
has long been sought after. Since the 3rd century
BC, when Hannibal sieged the city and made it his
westernmost outpost, it has been fought over and
prized by the Romans, Visigoths, Moors, Spanish
Empire, Revolutionaries, Golden Age, and now,
UNESCO, who have made it a World Heritage Site.
Known as "La Dorada" or "The Golden City" due
to the glow of its sandstone structures, Salamanca
today plays host to the oldest university in Spain
and one of the oldest in the World, the Universidad
de Salamanca.
Salamanca's honey-coloured architecture is best
sampled from Plaza Mayor, built between 1729
and 1755, it is widely considered to be Spain's most
beautiful central plaza. Once you've perused the
arcaded walkways, Town Hall, and Royal Pavilion,
dive into the back alleys for the less lauded beauty
of intricate cobbled streets.
Go online: Visit viking.com for more information
on voyages that go to Salamanca
48 HOURS IN SPAIN
Salamanca
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