Indeed, Salamanca has been a place of learning for centuries. It is a university town housing the oldest university in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe, founded by King Alfonso IX in 1218. As it flourished in the 16th Century, a fifth of the residents of Salamanca were students!  Their illustrious representatives included  Miguel de Unamuno, Miguel de Servantes, Ignatius Loyola and St. John of the Cross. Christopher Columbus gave there lectures on his discoveries, and the law department attracted students from places all over Europe.

Salamanca is small enough to explore on foot. Life revolves around the central square surrounded by graceful arcades - the Plaza Mayor, one of the finest in Spain and popularly referred to as the "'iving room' of the Salamancans.  It was built in the 18th century and bullfights used to be held there. Today, it hosts open-air concerts and serves as the meeting place of the university folk.

Most buildings in Salamanca are made of the yellow stone from Villamayor which gave it the nickname La Ciudad Dorada - 'the golden city'. They are decorated with elaborate filigree relieves. For its exquisite architecture, Salamanca is on the list of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites. It was proclaimed European Capital of Culture in 2002.

The University is a masterpiece of the plateresque style. Its façade is adorned by finely carved figures. The statue of Fray Luis de Léon, one of the celebrated professors, stands in the square in front of the building. The Renaissance hall of the Old University Hospital has beautiful arcades. The university library contains 160,000 volumes and is an attraction in itself.