While I was in Portugal last month, I had the opportunity to go on a day trip from Barca D’Alva (I think that’s what port we were at) to Salamanca, Spain. There are a couple quick stories that I have been itching to share.
The Cathedral at Salamanca has 2 sides to it: the old Cathedral and the New Cathedral. We were told that many brides want to get married in the old cathedral. We had been passing by the car with a bride and groom in it as it drove by. We were also told that the waiting list is usually 5 years ahead. Yikes! At least that gives a girl time to get her guy to propose and to plan the whole thing.
Near the cathedral, we passed through the former Muslim quarters of Salamanca. As was par for the course in the medieval period, the government kicked the Muslims out of Spain. Over time, that part of the city began to change and there really is nothing left of that time. There’s very little left to suggest what had once been there
The University of Salamanca comes with a couple of quick stories. One is that it’s said to be the oldest universities in Europe and 4th oldest in the world. Yeah, University of Oregon may have its history, but Salamanca has us beat by at least 500 years. One building known as the “Casa De Las Conchas” or the “Seashell house”. Called as such because the building is covered in carved seashells, the symbol for the “Buen Camino”. I can’t talk much about this building as I am still researching what it was used for, and I might do another post to explore this further as I learn more further. If you know something about the Casa De Las Conchas, tell me in the comments.
One thing the guide pointed out to us was one conch that is broken. It’s up in the air what that broken conch says to others but right now, that building is currently the public library.
Across from the Casa De Las Conchas is the La Clerecida. La Clerecida is a baroque church with some extremely unique markings. On the side you see red markings. Each set of red writing has a name of a graduate and a date in Latin, but this is not ink. Each graduate wrote this is BLOOD! YES, you heard me right. Let me explain what the guide told us
Before a final exam, a student would be locked up in a room overnight to cram, one can only imagine. The next day, these students would be examined by a group of professors. The ones who passed, were treated with celebrations including a bullfight. The bull would then be later sliced up to eat by hungry University graduates who would then take the blood of the bull and write their name and date of graduation. below the writing was score markings also made by the students. The students cut the bull up themselves and used their swords which, of course is basically another knife that needs to sharpen on occasion. So, the students would use the side of the building to sharpen their swords for this task.
If you’re going to Salamanca and you’re looking for an interesting challenge, here’s one that’s also something of a brain exercise. University of Salamanca, like most universities used to be a boy’s club. Where you have an all-boys club, you have guys who probably never dated or dated much. This was the medieval period, after all. You also have a lot of Anti-woman attitudes and so, of course there was a narrative that was pushed at the boys: Lust means Death and so, they better forget getting a girlfriend and focus on their studies. To emphasize this point, there is a stone pillar with three sculls, and one has a very distinctive difference.
A frog. Yes, you heard this correctly. The symbol for women back then was a frog and one thing that people should try when they come to Salamanca is this: try and find the scull where the frog sits. It’s considered good luck to find this frog and if you DO find it, you’re supposed to have good luck on your exams, and you’ll one day return to Salamanca. Yes, I found the frog.
Next time, I’ll be telling a powerful story of faith. Have you ever been to Salamanca? What did you learn there? I’d love to hear your own stories.
Until next time
Sources-
4K | Spain | Salamanca | Finding the Frog at the University of Salamanca (youtube.com)
Residencia de estudiantes centro de Salamanca | La Clerecía (youtube.com)
Exploring La Casa de las Conchas: A Treasure of Salamanca (youtube.com)