Salamanca University

Not only the first and oldest Spanish university but among the four oldest Western universities still in continuous operation. The oldest is in Bologna Italy. The rank varies depending on when they began teaching or when they received their charter. Also, the charter may have been a Royal charter from the king or a Papal charter from the Pope. Salamanca was the first to have the word “university” in its charter. Teaching began in 1134, royal chartered in 1218, and papal chartered in 1254. Other contenders in this 2, 3, 4 ranking are Oxford and Cambridge in England.

This is not a church or cathedral but one of the early university buildings. It faces a courtyard of other university buildings and a couple of monuments. On the extreme left is a countdown clock to the 800 year anniversary of receiving the Royal Charter.

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Standing in the center of the courtyard, facing the door of the university, is a statue to Friar Luis de León. He was a student, teacher and ultimately, holder of the high honour of Chair of Holy Scripture. (sometimes called the Bible Chair)

The population of Salamanca in 2012 was about 229 thousand and the university enrollment is about 32 thousand. Of those, about 25% are foreign students. Spanish language courses for foreign students are popular as are English courses. You might want to consider a summer program here. You would be joining some well know people from history such as Miguel de Cervantes, Hernán Cortés and Christopher Columbus.

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Somewhere on the façade is a frog on a skull. Those who can spot it are ensured success in their efforts here. Let me help you.

Before Face Book introduced posting on someone’s wall or announcing your graduation, students who were graduating wrote their initials in ink composed of bull’s blood, olive oil, and herbs onto the walls of the university.

Like a university in any city it expands to the buildings and space around it. At the time of expansion in this city, architecture was well formulated and in keeping with the style of the time.

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In the nineteenth century the Spanish government removed the faculties of Theology and Canon Law from the university. Later, it was reinstituted as the Pontifical University of Salamanca. (about 1940)

Now for the fun fact. University New Year is celebrated on the last Thursday of the school year in December. (about two weeks before the actual New Year) It is know in Spain and Europe as “Nochevieja Universitaria”.  Entertainment and the count down happens in the Plaza Mayor with all of the university crowd. Then two weeks later the year end “New Year” celebration happens here. By then, you may be celebrating back home with family, friends, and neighbours.

There is a place for you here.

-Where do you want to go today? –

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_oldest_universities_in_continuous_operation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_medieval_universities

https://www.salamanca-university.org/Salamanca-University.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_de_León

http://www.erasmusvalencia.com/university-new-year-s-eve-salamanca.html