Salamanca
by traveldave
One of Spain's most important university towns, Salamanca is in the province of Castile-León, and has been a center of learning for over 3,200 years. Salamanca's prestigious university was founded in 1218, and it soon became the equal of universities in Oxford and Bologna. Salamanca was beseiged by Hannibal in 220 B.C., and under Roman rule, the city was an important staging post on the Ruta de la Plata ("Silver Route") from mines in northern Spain to population centers in the south. Many consider Salamanca's Plaza Mayor (pictured here) to be the most magnificent in Spain. The square was designed in 1729 by the architect Churriguera. Nowadays, fashionable boutiques and cafes line the perimeter, making the Plaza a popular place to relax and enjoy the ambiance.