Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor Review

Built in the 1730s by Alberto and Nicolás Churriguera, Salamanca's Plaza Mayor is one of the largest and most beautiful squares in Spain. The lavishly elegant, pinkish ayuntamiento (city hall) dominates its northern side. The square and its arcades are popular gathering spots for most of Salmantino society, and the many surrounding cafés make this the perfect spot for a coffee break. At night, the plaza swarms with students meeting "under the clock" on the plaza's north side. Tunas (strolling musicians in traditional garb) often meander among the cafés and crowds, playing for smiles and applause rather than tips. During local festivals, held several times a year, a cardboard model of a bull is hoisted up atop the city hall's weathervane—and merriment ensues.