Salamanca

The old city of Salamanca

This ancient university town north-west of Madrid was first conquered by the Carthaginians in the 3rd century BC. It then became a Roman settlement before being ruled by the Moors until the 11th century. The University, one of the most ancient in Europe, reached its height during Salamanca's Golden Age.

Inscribed: 1988

Justification:
- The Plaza Mayor of Salamanca is a unique artistic achievement in Baroque art. Begun in 1729 according to plans drawn up by Alberto de Churriguera, and finished in 1755 by Andrés García de Quiñones, and with contributions from Nicolas de Churriguera and José.

- Salamanca is one the essential centres of the art of the dynasty of architects, decorators and sculptors from Catalonia, the Churriguera. The "churrigueresque" style exerted considerable influence in the 18th century not only in the Iberian Peninsula but also in countries of Latin America.

- The University of Salamanca, which was one of the best in Europe around 1250, conserves an admirable architectural heritage and forms a group of exceptional coherence at the heart of the old city.