Take a tour of this private Roman Catholic educational institution and snap photos of the panoramic vista of the old town from the historic church bell tower.
The Pontifical University of Salamanca was established by Pope Pius XII in the 20th century. It has many beautiful historic buildings that serve the 6,500 students that attend this college. Marvel at the array of elegant and impressive 17th-century structures and cobbled plazas that make up this exceptional campus.
Join a guided tour for a comprehensive overview of the university, which includes numerous artworks, including paintings by Balaca and Rubens. Audio guides in Spanish are also available. Climb to the top of the bell tower of La Clerecía church and enjoy the excellent view of the city’s historic center. Explore the church’s courtyard and the grand hall.
Speak with the guides about the history of the church and the campus. The Jesuit seminary from which the university sprang still officiates its church. Construction of the buildings commenced in 1617 and continued for about 150 years. Note that it was the headquarters of the Jesuits before the order was expelled from Spain. They returned in the 20th century to reclaim the abandoned buildings and set up the university.
Chat with the university’s students for a sense of the local culture and find out about their ecclesiastical and secular courses. The university offers degrees ranging from nursing to informatics engineering. Relax at one of the many cafés surrounding the campus and marvel at the Casa de las Conchas across the street.
The university also has a campus in Madrid. Note that the nearby University of Salamanca, without the Pontifical prefix, is a separate institution. There is a fee for visitor entrance and tours in Spanish and a separate fee for access to the bell towers.
Find the Pontifical University of Salamanca a few blocks southwest of the central Plaza Mayor in the historic center. It is 0.7 miles (1.2 kilometers) southwest of La Alamedilla railway station. Make sure to see the Casa de las Conchas, the Christopher Columbus Monument and St. Stephen’s Convent while you are in the neighborhood.
