Catedral Nueva de Salamanca (New Cathedral of Salamanca), Salamanca (must see)
The New Cathedral of Salamanca tells a story that begins with royal impatience and ends in local devotion. In 1509, King Ferdinand II of Aragon, unimpressed by the 鈥渟mall, dark, and low鈥� Romanesque cathedral beside the Tormes River, summoned architects from Toledo and Seville to design a new temple worthy of Salamanca鈥檚 growing prestige. Construction began in 1513, a project so ambitious it would not be completed for more than two centuries鈥攊ts stones aging and styles evolving with time.
The result is a breathtaking hybrid: part Gothic, part Renaissance, and part Baroque鈥攁 cathedral that seems to embody Spain鈥檚 transformation across the ages. It was built parallel to the Old Cathedral, allowing both to coexist in harmony. Though interrupted by wars, economic troubles, and even the Lisbon earthquake of 1755, which cracked its dome and tilted its tower, the people of Salamanca refused to abandon their great work. The building stood firm, a miracle the townspeople would never forget.
Out of that miracle grew one of Salamanca鈥檚 most cherished traditions. When the earthquake struck, terrified citizens rushed inside the cathedral seeking divine protection鈥攁nd survived without harm. In gratitude, the cathedral鈥檚 caretakers vowed that each October 31st, a member of the Mariquelo family would climb to the top of the tower to ring the bells and thank God. For centuries, the ritual endured, the Mariquelo scaling dizzying heights while the crowd below prayed and sang. Revived again in the 1980s, it remains a symbol of the city鈥檚 resilience and faith.
Today, visitors marvel not only at the cathedral鈥檚 glowing sandstone and celestial ceilings but also at the quirky modern astronaut carving hidden on its fa莽ade鈥攁 playful touch linking past and present. The New Cathedral stands as both sanctuary and storyteller, reminding all who enter that in Salamanca, faith and time are still measured in stone and sound.
The result is a breathtaking hybrid: part Gothic, part Renaissance, and part Baroque鈥攁 cathedral that seems to embody Spain鈥檚 transformation across the ages. It was built parallel to the Old Cathedral, allowing both to coexist in harmony. Though interrupted by wars, economic troubles, and even the Lisbon earthquake of 1755, which cracked its dome and tilted its tower, the people of Salamanca refused to abandon their great work. The building stood firm, a miracle the townspeople would never forget.
Out of that miracle grew one of Salamanca鈥檚 most cherished traditions. When the earthquake struck, terrified citizens rushed inside the cathedral seeking divine protection鈥攁nd survived without harm. In gratitude, the cathedral鈥檚 caretakers vowed that each October 31st, a member of the Mariquelo family would climb to the top of the tower to ring the bells and thank God. For centuries, the ritual endured, the Mariquelo scaling dizzying heights while the crowd below prayed and sang. Revived again in the 1980s, it remains a symbol of the city鈥檚 resilience and faith.
Today, visitors marvel not only at the cathedral鈥檚 glowing sandstone and celestial ceilings but also at the quirky modern astronaut carving hidden on its fa莽ade鈥攁 playful touch linking past and present. The New Cathedral stands as both sanctuary and storyteller, reminding all who enter that in Salamanca, faith and time are still measured in stone and sound.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Salamanca. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Catedral Nueva de Salamanca (New Cathedral of Salamanca) on Map
Sight Name: Catedral Nueva de Salamanca (New Cathedral of Salamanca)
Sight Location: Salamanca, Spain (See walking tours in Salamanca)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Salamanca, Spain (See walking tours in Salamanca)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Salamanca, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Salamanca
Creating your own self-guided walk in Salamanca is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Salamanca's Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Salamanca 鈥� one of Spain鈥檚 most delightful and intriguing destinations 鈥� is a treasure trove of architectural marvels. The abundance of well-preserved, centuries-old wonders of construction tucked away in the labyrinth of narrow lanes in this prestigious university city is truly awe-inspiring. A true feast for the eyes, they are so impressive that the entire historic center of Salamanca was... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Salamanca Introduction Walking Tour
Usually, frogs inhabit marshy lands, not the sun-baked plains of central Spain. Yet Salamanca is the exception. The small stone frog adorning the fa莽ade of the University of Salamanca keeps a watchful eye over visitors. Local legend says that if you find the frog among the carvings, fate will one day bring you back to the city.
The name Salamanca is rooted in antiquity. One theory links it to... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
The name Salamanca is rooted in antiquity. One theory links it to... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles