Salamanca, ciudad dorada

Salamanca (population 160,000) is a city in central Spain.The city was founded in the pre-Roman period by Vacceos, an indigenous tribe, as one of a pair of forts to defend their territory near the Duero river. The city lies on a plateau by the Tormes river, which is crossed by a bridge 500 ft long built on 26 arches, fifteen of which are of Roman origin, while the remainder date from the 16th century.A central place in the city, the Plaza Mayor, surrounded by shaded arcades, is known as the living room of the Salmantinos (Salamancans). It was constructed by Andres Garcia de Quifiones at the beginning of the 18th century; it would hold 20,000 people, once to witness bullfights, today to attend a concert, and is one of the finest squares in Europe. Salamanca is considered to be one of the most spectacular Renaissance cities in Europe. Through the centuries the sandstone buildings have gained an exquisite golden glow that has given Salamanca the nickname La Ciudad Dorada, the golden city.The old Romanesque cathedral was founded in the 12th century. The dome that covers its crossing springs from a double arcade that is daringly pierced with windows, a distant reflection of Hagia Sophia. The mass of four pinnacles at the outside corners counter the thrust of the dome's weight. The thrust of the vaulting is borne by four massive pinnacles. The vault of the apse was frescoed by the Early Renaissance painter Nicolas Florentino. In 1218, Alfonso IX of León founded the first Christian university in Iberia here, the university, which is regaining some of the prestige it lost under Franco, Salamanca having been a bastion of his supporters. Under the patronage of the learned Alfonso X, its wealth and reputation greatly increased (1252-1282), and its schools of canon law and civil law attracted students even from the Universities of Paris and Bologna. At the height of the university, in the 16th century, one in five of Salamanca's residents was a student, and the city's fortunes depended on those of the university.

Canal: Travel & Events
Añadido: November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am
Autor: antonwithagen

Duración: 04:09
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Etiquetas: churches  Franco  religion  spain  students  univeristy  

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