A stroll through the streets of Salamanca is the discovery at every turn of monuments steeped in history and wisdom, medieval towers alongside plateresque façades, and Baroque reredoses in Modernist buildings. Salamanca is a dynamic, welcoming city, the fruit of its position on the Vía de la Plata and its university history. The axis that runs from the church of San Marcos - the circular plan of which constitutes an original example of the Romanesque style - to the Roman bridge over the river Tormes, takes in the most emblematic points of Salamanca.
Calle Zamora leads from St Mark's to the Plaza Mayor in Salamanca, one of cities jewels and one of the of the most important main squares in Spain. Arcaded in the Churrigueresque Baroque style, one of the main features is the so-called Pabellón Real (royal pavilion), decorated with a bust of Philip V. It contains numerous medallions, several of them of key figures associated with the history of the city, such as Friar Luis de León and Unamuno, and others representing writers and professors of the University of Salamanca. Emerging from amidst the eighty or so arches around the square, and designed in the same style, is the Salamanca City Hall. In the old style bars and restaurants of Salamanca, visitors may sample the local dishes. The route to the so called Casa de las Conchas (House of Shells), the Renaissance façade of which is adorned with more than 300 pilgrim shells (the symbol of the order that protected the pilgims' road to Santiago de Compostela), takes in Rúa Mayor. This street contains major Renaissance palaces, such as the 16th-century palaces of Salina, Orellana and Anaya, whilst situated nearby is the so-called Clerecía or monastery, a Baroque construction that now houses the Pontifical University.
The other side of the river affords one of the best panoramic views of Salamanca. It is precisely on this bank of the Tormes that the city's parador is situated. A modern building with all the conveniences of a four-star hotel, it has as excellent views over this World Heritage city. Its restaurant provides an opportunity to sample the local cuisine. Having tried the odd dish in the old-style bars and restaurants of the historic quarter, now is the time to taste more elaborate casseroles. Roast suckling pig and young goat can be followed by "hornazos" (a type of pie) and "farinatos" (sausages made from breadcrumbs, pork fat and spices). The sweetmeats are based on Arabic, Hebrew and convent recipes. Marzipans (with sugar and almond) from the Monastery of Santa María de Dueñas, caramel-coated almonds from Alba de Tormes, and "bollo maimón" (a spongy type of marzipan) are just some of those on offer Salamanca.
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