Learn Spanish at Salamanca University: An Ideal Place to Study Abroad

Thanks to a rich cultural history, Salamanca is one of the most popular destinations for people all over the world who want to learn Spanish in Spain. It is said that citizens of this Renaissance city speak the purest form of Spanish available in the world today.

Salamanca is also famous for having the oldest and one of the most prestigious universities in Spain (the third-oldest in Europe); another factor that makes it appealing to students looking to study abroad. The University of Salamanca was founded in 1175 in Palencia and was relocated to Salamanca five years later. By the mid 16th Century it had gained worldwide renown; a common praise of its professors was multus et doctisimus Salmantina habet (many and highly learned [professors] Salamanca has).

Within Salamanca's campus walls the first book of grammatical rules for Castilian Spanish was published and many modern concepts relating to law, economy, and politics were developed. Hernan Cortes, St. Ignatious Loyola and Miguel de Cervantes studied there, and it gave rise to one of the first declarations of universal human rights when scholars of the university established in Spanish law the rights of the native inhabitants of the American continent.

A small town of less than 200,000 inhabitants (though large enough to offer the amenities of a city), Salamanca is the capital of the province by the same name, which borders Portugal on one side and is within a two-and-a-half hour drive of Madrid. The city is located at the banks of the river Tormes, and thanks to its historical and cultural appeal is an attractive place to live despite its cold winters and hot summers. Cathedrals, palaces and churches in Romantic, Gothic and Baroque styles are just a few of the characteristics that grace Salamanca with a deep heritage of history and art.

The Plaza Mayor (central square) is an impressive meeting place that can hold up to 20,000 people. It used to be the site of large bullfights (another important tradition in Salamanca) and today is used mainly for concerts and other special events. Constructed in the 18th century, it is another of the historical gems that make Salamanca one of Europe's most impressive Renaissance towns. It is a favorite gathering place for students, being just a few steps from the University and always humming with activity. Numerous stores, restaurants, bars and pubs located in and around the Plaza Mayor bring activity to this area nearly 24 hours a day.

In 2002 Salamanca was designated the European Capital of Culture. During this year it proudly showcased its culture through music, dance, expositions, street performances and other forms of entertainment and cultural expression unique to this age-old college town. The international attention Salamanca received allowed the city to strengthen its presence as an important center of Western historical, cultural and artistic development.