Plaza Mayor de Salamanca

Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful squares in Spain, this grand baroque plaza was built in the eighteenth century of the golden sandstone that gives Salamanca its warm glow. Enclosed on all four sides by uniform arcaded facades, it is punctuated by medallions bearing portraits of Spanish kings and other notable figures. Once used for markets and bullfights, the square is now the lively social hub of the university city, its cafés spilling under the arches. Floodlighting turns the stone amber at night.