Stay in Plaza Mayor Salamanca: Best Experience in Spain
While looking around for a place to stay, for just a night halt in Salamnca, I ended up choosing a hotel in Plaza Mayor. There were 2 reasons for this, one because Plaza Mayor is the most beautiful square in the whole of Spain!
Secondly all sight seeing places are close to this Plaza Mayor. It is the most interesting gathering place for this university Town of Salamanca. Students, tourists, and locals all gather here and it is busy life in the square whether winters or summers, day or night.
Stay in Plaza Mayor Salamanca
Living in a historic place always gives me a special excitement and this was no different. It took me a while to align myself with this 18th century monument and to be within the four walls of an old room in the monument. Plaza Mayor was constructed between the years 1729 and 1755.
In 1988, UNESCO declared the old city of Salamanca a World Heritage Site. Entire complex was built of yellow sandstone the one that was used to build the Jaisalmer Fort. And it is called as “The Golden City” just like how our Jaisalmer Fort is called “Shonar Quilla” meaning golden fort in Bengali.
Can you believe the square was used for bullfighting up until the mid-19th century?! I looked out from the little balcony of my room in the hotel to imagine one such scene with crowds cheering from all sides. Well the scene was almost the same just minus the loud cheers and the bulls.
The square is crowded at any point of time during day and night, maybe past midnight it would have been a little deserted. The Baroque style architecture of Plaza mayor belonging to 18th century charmed me.
I read in Steves guide to Spain that “in earlier days girls would promenade clockwise around the colonnade and boys cruised anticlockwise looking for the perfect cheese (smile or a cute dish).”
It took me a while to sense the good angles of photography. I saw a photographer early in the morning set up his apparatus clicking vigorously. He definitely got some wonderful people less shots.
Architectural Details
The monument includes Spanish decorations of cut tablets. The equilateral arches in the ground floor make good pictures. It is not a perfect square. The northern side with the City Hall has 21 arches, the south 20 arches; the east has 22 arches while the west has 25 arches.
Spandrels of the arches are studded with medallions of famous men, women and distinguished figures in Spain’s history. They include kings from Alfonso IX to Carlos III, discoverers and conquerors, and Spanish intellectuals. These reliefs were executed by the sculptor Manuel de Larra Churriguera.
The monument has 4 levels, not sure if the whole of it is converted to different hotels or not. The city hall is located on north side of the plaza, built in the baroque style with 5 granite arches and a steeple. The belfry was added in the 19th century-with three bells and a clock. The eastern facade, with a large semicircular arch is the Royal Pavilion.
Tour around Plaza Mayor Salamanca
The old and new cathedral and the university are all within walking distance from Plaza Mayor. A walk through the old lanes near Plaza Mayor was worth the time spent. Once you are done seeing cathedrals, university and strolling in streets go back to Square. There are plenty of benches in the square, so sit and watch the world moving on around you. We did precisely that!
(Spot me in the pic below. 3rd floor, 3rd door. :))
Another great Spanish city! Even the hotel looks like a part of the heritage, and this is the aspect of design that most planners in India don’t understand. I love it how everything looks so seamlessly integrated!
Plaza Mayor seems like it is located in the perfect spot. I can totally picture the square being used for bull fights! The architecture of Plaza Mayor is superb, I love such medieval buildings. Walking the streets around the hotel is the best way for me to spend time as well!
What a lovely night photography! I first thought that the building was some kind of a palace or a government building. Never thought it would be a hotel. 🙂 I quite agree with the advantages of staying near old towns in Europe. Save a lot on time for some extra buck on the hotel. It must be awesome to stay in 3 century old building. Any ghosts there? hahaha. Just kidding.
I too prefer to stay at a place which at the heart of the city as it gives me freedom to experience important places at different hours of the day. And its icing on the cake if stay option is there at some monument or heritage building. I am sure you gonna cherish this stay for long times to come. It indeed a place to photograph vigorously for it has rich architectural value. All in all a beautiful post.
Whoa, it’s really beautiful! I don’t know why I’ve never set foot in Spain, I should really do something about this!
This is beautiful! I’m planning a trip to Spain in the fall and hadn’t heard of this city. I’m adding it my my itinerary as a stopover from Madrid to Porto — Thank for the sharing
I totally get it why you wanted to stay here.. It’s so lovely and very impressive. I like the location too as it is centrally located. Bullfighting in the mid-19th century? Wow.. That’s so cool. Spectators situated at the top floors for the building must’ve had superb viewing opportunities!
This was a nice informative post. You pictures look nice – doing justice to the idea of the golden city.
Such an elegant plaza. How lovely to stay there. I love the history too. The old squares were so vital at one time.
When I first read Plaza Mayor, I thought you were talking about the one in Madrid. Only when I started reading, I realised that you were talking about the one in Salamanca. The architecture of both of them do look similar. Except that this one is Golden while the other one is bright red. I liked the quote of how they went looking for the perfect cheese. Loved the night photos especially.
Your night photos look amazing! Good job with them! I have not been to Salamanca, but it looks like a beautiful place to visit!
I love delving into one particular spot when I travel. There are always so many layers to it. I’ve been to a lot of Plaza Mayors in Spain, but never this one. It looks so stunning with its golden hue.
Plaza Mayor looks like a real awesome place with the grand architecture .Had always known of the Sonar Quilla but never knew anything about the Golden City, thanks for sharing.The plaza looks like a really happening hub irrespective of the time of the day.
LOVED Salamanca. I only had a day there, but there were SO many details on all the building. I remember seeing the plaza for the first time and being totally amazed by the details!
What a gorgeous Plaza, especially at night! This reminds me a lot of the Grand Plaza in Mexico City.
What a grand plaza. Spain has so many beautiful cities and a vibrant culture. I haven’t heard of Salamanca. It certainly looks like a handsome city.
This square is beautiful! Loved that you told us so many historical facts. Didn’t know that they used it for bull fighting. It must have been very nice to be able to pass the night here. 🙂
Such beautiful architecture! I love going to places that have so much beauty and history in them.
Lovely square with golden hues. Interesting to know that it was also used for bull fighting. Was it open for public on other days? That girl & boy thing still happens in Spain. 🙂
Thanks for sharing. Definitely bookmarking as I start to plan a trip for the fall to Spain. Will have to add Salamanca to my list.
What an amazing square with so much history! Salamanca looks like a really nice town. I would love to visit!
Incredibly grand… Great pics!
The square sounds entertaining – just taking a seat and watching things happening around. What we usually do at visiting beaches. The entire place looks magnificent in night lights! Excellent shots
Hi Indrani! Your photos are excellent and impressive! This is a huge and beautiful buildings. Thank you for the information about it.
Wil, ABCW Team
Looks so fascinating!
Incredible architecture! As I look at your photos, I can hear the bullfighting starting!
Hi, Thanks for sharing those beautiful pictures. It’s a great looking building. Sylvia D.
This is awesome. The large squares in Europe are lovely.
What a treat for the eyes Indrani. Glad to have visited Spain through your blog.
Woah, I don’t think I’d be able to sleep, just out of sheer excitement! 🙂
Great Photographs of the Plaza.. Nicely narrated, Indrani!
wow! The plaza looks so magnificent and beautiful. Great captures 🙂
What a grand and beautiful looking structure. It would be something to watch a bull fight from up there. I’m sure it’s a great place to watch people, now. 🙂
Gosh! it looks so, so, so beautiful at night. 🙂
great pics
Very impressive place Indrani.Thanks.
This plaza is looking beautiful in lights:)
Gorgeous captures!!
The monument looks lovely! You have captured them really well!
Spectacular photographs! Must have been an amazing experience to stay in a place like that.
Wow.. nice array of pictures, Indrani.
Your night time shots are absolutely spectacular! Loved the tour you gave us of the plaza!
The plaza looks great. Awesome captures.
The plaza is awesome and wow, this is a gorgeous building. Lovely collection of photos. Thanks for sharing your visit. Happy Sunday, enjoy your new week ahead!