The University of Salamanca celebrates its 800th anniversary

The University of Salamanca is known around the world due to its history, reputation and some of its distinguished students, professors and rectors such as Miguel de Unamuno. Founded in 1218, the USAL (University of Salamanca) celebrates its eighth centenary, which is fundamental to the city and even to the whole country. On the occasion of such important event, the artist Miquel Barceló has drawn the following logo. In addition, the University has organised a program of activities in order to remember its history, among which artistic and photographic exhibitions, concerts, theatrical representations, conferences, seminaries, besides student and sport activities. The alumni who have already studied at the USAL also have the opportunity to meet again on May 25th and 26th, when a promotion meeting will be held. 

About the University history, its fundation, back eight centuries ago, led to the creation of the first University library in all Europe. Since then, the reputation of the Major School Library grew and was enriched with additions like the Sky of Salamanca (Cielo de Salamanca), paiting made by Fernando Gallego which is part of the artistic heritage of the city.

The activities proposed by the local government include names such as Bob Dylan, whose concert takes place on March 24th, whereas Salamanca will celebrate the International Jazz Festival during the summer.

Among the exhibitions, “Pioneers of Modernity. XIX and XX Centuries in the Gerstenmaier Collection”, “Iconography of Unamuno”, and “Seduced by the reality” offer the possibility to see some works made by the main figurative artists in Spain. A medallion dedicated to the King Alfonso IX de León, under whose regency the University was founded, is going to be placed in Plaza Mayor.

Salamanca has always owned the reputation of relying on one of the world’s eldest instituctions, which is why we have the refrain: “What nature does not give, Salamanca does not lend”, (Lo que naturaleza no da, Salamanca no presta).

Finally, the city has been the protagonist of films and books. In fact, this is an excellent time for students and tourists from all around the world who would like to visit Salamanca and the mixture of all the festivities makes it such a unique occasion.

Libraries in Salamanca

Do you like our new location in Palominos St? Tía Tula has moved, but it is still in privileged location: the heart of the city centre. And in social media and this blog we will continue to share news about the school, Salamanca and Spain, as well as about culture and practical information. Just as this article, in which we're going to tell you about four libraries situated at less than 5 minutes from Tía Tula.

As we were saying yesterday… With such proverbial words Fray Luis de León resumed his classes at University of Salamanca, after five years in jail. Just like him, many other writers and important people of the arts and culture have been in Salamanca and today all the fruits of the past centuries are well guarded in the numerous libraries of the city.

In the very centre, near Tía Tula and in less than 5 minutes, you can find different libraries. The closest one, the Faculty of Philoly's, is in Palominos St, just opposite to Tía Tula. The library's main building was projected in 1969 by the architect Fernando Chueca Goitia.
The Unamuno House Museum is a 18th Century's building in which Miguel de Unamuno lived when he was the Dean of the University of Salamanca, in the earlier 20th Century. The museum keeps the memory of Miguel de Unamuno, spreading his works and guarding an extensive archive, which help us to reconstruct the history between XIXth and XXth Centuries.

The University Historical Library since 1995 is exclusively a research centre.

It guards and keeps many collections from the 13th Century, as well as codices, manuscripts and fragments, books, pamphlets, periodical publications, maps, etc., nowadays considered as a part of the Historical Spanish Heritage. 
If you'd like to visit it in a virtual way, in this link you can see the library and the treasures it guards.

As the University Historical Library, the House of Shells hosts a public library. The edifice, built between 1493 and 1517, is an example of gothic and plateresque style, typical of the Spanish Renaissance. The singularity of this building resides in his approximately 300 Saint Jaime shells that decorate the façade and, according to the legend, in one of these shells there is a golden coin... 

If you are a student staying in Salamanca for more than 4 months, then you can request the library card and thus be entitled to the library's loan service. Otherwise, you can just go and read the books and enjoy the study material, as well as the Internet connection and PCs.