Sightseeing in Salamanca: 23/09/2014

Plaza Mayor

On Tuesday we had a relaxing day sightseeing in Salamanca. One day isn't really sufficient. We did find time to visit a Capuchin church, the Plaza Mayor, the library, the Pontifical University (originally a Jesuit building until they were expelled from Spain), El Convento San Esteban (a major Dominican church) and the old university. All of these were impressive old buildings. Even older was the Roman Bridge and the old Cathedral, dating from the 13th century. The old Cathedral is attached to the new Cathedral (16th century) which is probably the highlight of the city.

We climbed to the top of the towers in the Pontifical University and when we had finished our sightseeing I said I would go and climb the stairs in the Cathedral tower. I had to climb a short hill to reach the Cathedral and when I arrived my legs told me I had done enough climbing for one day and so I joined Pauline and Mary in the Plaza Mayor for coffee.

At one stage during the day Pauline overheard two girls, speaking in English, having trouble finding their way. Having 24 hours experience of the city and possession of a map, she offered to help. The girls turned out to be newly-arrived Erasmus students from NUI Galway. One was from Wellpark in Galway city and the other from Buncrana.