Salamanca

About

Dating back to antiquity, the Carthaginians conquered the city in the 3rd century B.C. It then became a Roman settlement, and fell under Moorish control until the 11th century. While there are still some relics from its 2000 year history, such as the Roman bridge, the city’s greatest assets are thanks to its famous university. Founded in the 12th century, shortly after the Christian reclamation, the university complex consists of buildings in Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, constructed from the 15th to 18th centuries. But the city’s landmarks aren’t limited to the university, the round, romanesque San Marcos Church, 16th century palaces, and Plaza Mayor, with its galleries and arcades, are worth cutting class for.