Plaza Mayor

Salamanca's Plaza Mayor is widely considered one of the finest baroque squares in Spain, built between 1729 and 1755 by architect Alberto de Churriguera in the ornately decorative churrigueresque style — a late-baroque idiom born in Castile. King Philip V commissioned the square as a gesture of gratitude to the city for its loyalty during the War of the Spanish Succession. The arcade medallions lining the square depict Spanish monarchs and notable figures, including Francisco Franco — one of the last medallions added, in the 20th century, and still a point of debate. Today the sandstone arcades shelter a continuous row of café terraces where students from Spain's oldest university mingle with locals over evening coffee. At night the golden stone glows under warm lighting, making it one of the most atmospheric public spaces on the Iberian Peninsula.