Plaza Mayor, Salamanca facts for kids
The Plaza Mayor (which means Main Square in English) in Salamanca, Spain is a huge public square right in the middle of the city. It was built in a fancy Spanish style called Baroque and is a super popular spot for people to meet up. All around its edges, you'll find restaurants, ice cream shops, souvenir stores, jewelry shops, and even a pharmacy. Many people think it's the very heart of Salamanca and one of the prettiest squares in all of Spain! It connects to several streets, like Calle del Toro for shopping and Calle del Prior.
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History of the Plaza
Building the Plaza Mayor started in 1729 and finished in 1755. King Felipe V ordered it to be built, and it was designed by the famous Churriguera family of architects. They used sandstone, which gives the plaza its special golden glow. For about 100 years, until the mid-1800s, the plaza was even used for bullfighting events!
The construction happened in two main parts. The first part was from 1729 to 1735, led by Alberto Churriguera. The second part, from 1750 to 1755, was finished by his nephew, Manuel de Larra Churriguera. Finally, Andrés Garcia de Quiñones built the City Hall building, which is also part of the plaza.
A World Heritage Site
In 1988, a group called UNESCO named the old city of Salamanca a World Heritage Site. This means it's a very important place that should be protected for everyone to enjoy. Today, there's a special plaque in the middle of the Plaza Mayor to show off its amazing Baroque beauty. Salamanca is often called La Dorada, which means "The Golden City." This is because its sandstone buildings, especially the Plaza Mayor, glow with a beautiful golden color in the sunlight.
How the Plaza is Designed
The Plaza Mayor isn't a perfect square; its sides are all slightly different lengths. The buildings around the plaza usually have three floors above the ground level, except for the main part where the City Hall is. The plaza has six entrances that lead to different streets. It also has a famous clock tower, known as El Reloj (The Clock).
You'll notice 88 beautiful arches supported by strong pillars. Above these arches, there are many decorated circles called medallions. The plaza also has 247 balconies, which are now part of private homes.
The original plan for the plaza included two tall towers on each side of the clock. However, these towers were never built. People worried that the ground wouldn't be strong enough to hold their weight. So, a different plan from 1745 was used instead. The City Hall, located on one side of the plaza, is also built in the Baroque style with five granite arches and a steeple. The whole square is about 70 meters by 70 meters in size.
Seen in Movies
The Plaza Mayor has even been a filming location!
- Vantage Point
See also
In Spanish: Plaza Mayor de Salamanca para niños
- Plaza Mayor, Valladolid
- Plaza Mayor, Madrid
