PLAZA DE ANAYA
30 minutes
The Plaza de Anaya is one of Salamanca's most iconic spots and a must-visit place for anyone exploring the city. Its origins date back to the Peninsular War, when General Thiebault ordered the demolition of the cluster of houses that stretched between the façade of the Colegio de Anaya and the cathedral's northern atrium. On the north side of the square, opposite the New Cathedral, stands the Colegio de Anaya, the first major university college founded in Spain. The building, which today houses the Faculty of Philology, is flanked on its left and right by the Church of San Sebastián – the college's former chapel – and the Hospedería de Anaya, where students stayed after completing their studies. Its gardens offer an exceptional resting area for students and tourists who pause along their way to relax and gaze in awe at the magnificent spectacle surrounding them.
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During the Peninsular War, Salamanca saw a large part of its monumental heritage disappear. The decision to build several French forts led to the destruction of all monuments in the southwest area of the city, while the remaining convents and colleges were severely damaged by their use as barracks and war hospitals. Shortly after the effects of the war, the equally destructive 19th-century disentailment followed.
It was during this period that the Plaza de Anaya emerged, at the initiative of Paul Thiébault, then military commander of the French army in Salamanca. Thiébault, staying in the old Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé, ordered in 1811 the demolition of the block of houses that stood between the façade of the said college and the New Cathedral. Before that date, the area retained its medieval layout of narrow and intricate alleyways. A small square already existed here, linked to the medieval parish of San Sebastián, which stood opposite the steps of the Colegio de Anaya. Thiébault's project aimed to transform the square into an open space, in accordance with the enlightened standards of the era. Thiébault, however, did not see his project completed, as with the departure of the Napoleonic troops in 1812, the square remained undeveloped.
The square underwent several renovations from the late 19th century. The first was the opening in 1890 of the last section of Rúa Mayor. The current structure of the Plaza de Anaya, with some minor modifications, is the result of the remodeling carried out in 1932 by municipal architect Ricardo Pérez. At that time, the cathedral's atrium was modified to give it an arrangement parallel to that of the gardens, and the steps of the Colegio de Anaya, which had been buried since the 19th century, were restored. The last major reform, carried out between 1972 and 1975, gave the square its current appearance. The cathedral's atrium was redesigned, replacing the angled staircase with a new one located opposite the Puerta de Ramos. A regular garden with flowerbeds, hedges, and emblematic trees such as the "city's" sequoia, which became a symbol of the place, was consolidated. The statue of Padre Cámara, which had been placed in the square in 1910, was moved to its current location next to the Episcopal Palace. The most recent reforms have equipped the square with ramps that allow access between the different terrace levels and public restrooms beneath the cathedral's atrium.
It was during this period that the Plaza de Anaya emerged, at the initiative of Paul Thiébault, then military commander of the French army in Salamanca. Thiébault, staying in the old Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé, ordered in 1811 the demolition of the block of houses that stood between the façade of the said college and the New Cathedral. Before that date, the area retained its medieval layout of narrow and intricate alleyways. A small square already existed here, linked to the medieval parish of San Sebastián, which stood opposite the steps of the Colegio de Anaya. Thiébault's project aimed to transform the square into an open space, in accordance with the enlightened standards of the era. Thiébault, however, did not see his project completed, as with the departure of the Napoleonic troops in 1812, the square remained undeveloped.
The square underwent several renovations from the late 19th century. The first was the opening in 1890 of the last section of Rúa Mayor. The current structure of the Plaza de Anaya, with some minor modifications, is the result of the remodeling carried out in 1932 by municipal architect Ricardo Pérez. At that time, the cathedral's atrium was modified to give it an arrangement parallel to that of the gardens, and the steps of the Colegio de Anaya, which had been buried since the 19th century, were restored. The last major reform, carried out between 1972 and 1975, gave the square its current appearance. The cathedral's atrium was redesigned, replacing the angled staircase with a new one located opposite the Puerta de Ramos. A regular garden with flowerbeds, hedges, and emblematic trees such as the "city's" sequoia, which became a symbol of the place, was consolidated. The statue of Padre Cámara, which had been placed in the square in 1910, was moved to its current location next to the Episcopal Palace. The most recent reforms have equipped the square with ramps that allow access between the different terrace levels and public restrooms beneath the cathedral's atrium.
The Plaza de Anaya is one of the most emblematic places in the city of Salamanca. Its beauty and historical value make it a symbol of Salamancan urban and academic life. Very few residents can boast of enjoying direct views of this square from their homes, as almost its entire perimeter is occupied by academic and religious buildings that define its character and uniqueness.
A large part of the northern flank is occupied by the old Colegio de Anaya, which includes the Hospedería and the Church of San Sebastián. On the west side, the space is enclosed by the Faculty of Translation and Interpreting and the Escuelas Mayores. On the 19th-century walls of the latter building, a plaque commemorates the famous phrase that Cervantes dedicated to Salamanca through the protagonist of Licenciado Vidriera: "Salamanca, which charms the will to return to it for those who have tasted the peacefulness of its dwelling."
The New Cathedral dominates the square's southern flank, and its famous Puerta de Ramos inevitably captures the attention of those who gaze upon it and, amazed, discover an astronaut peeking out from among the foliage and the Late Gothic ornamentation that adorns it.
The Plaza de Anaya is delimited to the north by the Colegio de Anaya and to the south by the atrium of the New Cathedral. The space between both monuments describes a trapezoidal shape of approximately 3000 sq m. It is structured on three levels that overcome the terrain's unevenness through staircases. In recent renovations, ramps have been incorporated to make the square accessible between its highest and lowest parts, which slopes steeply towards Calle del Tostado. On the two highest platforms, flowerbeds delimited by boxwood hedges were designed, through which paved paths run. Large granite benches are integrated into the layout, allowing for rest and a relaxed view of the monuments.
The initial idea was to plant low shrubs that would not interfere with the majestic view of the monuments surrounding the square. However, over time, this space became occupied by large trees that offer shelter and shade, making summer days more pleasant for those who sit to enjoy the atmosphere of the place. Among the species notable for their imposing stature are three cedars, which reach over 20 meters in height. Their silhouette seems to challenge the pinnacles of the New Cathedral for prominence, in a vertical dialogue between nature and architecture. Special mention goes to the young sequoia planted in 1976 as a tribute to the century-old sequoia that, from the courtyard of the Escuelas Mayores, continues to bear witness to university life.
The initial idea was to plant low shrubs that would not interfere with the majestic view of the monuments surrounding the square. However, over time, this space became occupied by large trees that offer shelter and shade, making summer days more pleasant for those who sit to enjoy the atmosphere of the place. Among the species notable for their imposing stature are three cedars, which reach over 20 meters in height. Their silhouette seems to challenge the pinnacles of the New Cathedral for prominence, in a vertical dialogue between nature and architecture. Special mention goes to the young sequoia planted in 1976 as a tribute to the century-old sequoia that, from the courtyard of the Escuelas Mayores, continues to bear witness to university life.