Salamanca
On our very first trip to Portugal we overnighted at the Hotel Regio in Salamanca but in 2012 we decided it was time we paid this town a visit as we had been told by so many that it was worth a visit.
Although there are several campsites we opted for the Hotel Regio again as we knew that there was a bus service that called into the Hotel and which went into into the centre of old Salamanca. We can't remember the cost but it was only a couple of euro.
The campsite is at the rear of this large hotel which has a special menu rate for campers (pretty good value) and a very good sanitary block. You can find this campsite in the ACSI book.
Although there are several campsites we opted for the Hotel Regio again as we knew that there was a bus service that called into the Hotel and which went into into the centre of old Salamanca. We can't remember the cost but it was only a couple of euro.
The campsite is at the rear of this large hotel which has a special menu rate for campers (pretty good value) and a very good sanitary block. You can find this campsite in the ACSI book.
Plaza Mayor
.
While Salamanca is a large city the "old" part is quite compact.. We started at the very
fine Plaza Mayor (a UNESCO world heritage site) and then made for the University area and both cathedrals. This part of Salamanca is exceptionally attractive, with
pedestrianised streets of warm sandstone buildings. The ‘new’ 16thC Cathedral had a spectacular front entrance, a soaring interior, a fine choir and a nicely understated retablo in one of the side chapels.
The ‘old’ 12thC cathedral was not to be outdone in OTT decoration – the 15th century alterpiece is the bit that the guidebooks talk about and it is spectacular but the old cathedral has a lot of old murals and sepulchres some of which date from 13th Century.
We ended our day trip with a visit to the convent of San Estaban (St Stephen to you and me) with it's beatiful cloister and understated (in comparison to others seen that day) interior .
fine Plaza Mayor (a UNESCO world heritage site) and then made for the University area and both cathedrals. This part of Salamanca is exceptionally attractive, with
pedestrianised streets of warm sandstone buildings. The ‘new’ 16thC Cathedral had a spectacular front entrance, a soaring interior, a fine choir and a nicely understated retablo in one of the side chapels.
The ‘old’ 12thC cathedral was not to be outdone in OTT decoration – the 15th century alterpiece is the bit that the guidebooks talk about and it is spectacular but the old cathedral has a lot of old murals and sepulchres some of which date from 13th Century.
We ended our day trip with a visit to the convent of San Estaban (St Stephen to you and me) with it's beatiful cloister and understated (in comparison to others seen that day) interior .
sepulchre and wall paintings
sepulchre in the Old Cathedral
15th century alterpiece in old cathedral
The New Cathedral
The choir in the New Cathedral
The convent of San Estaban
inside San Estaban church
