Rounded arches, squat pillars, and fortress-like exteriors define the Old Cathedral.
What’s to see inside Salamanca Cathedral?
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Old Cathedral (Catedral Vieja)
Step into an intimate Romanesque world where thick stone walls echo with silence. The star of all chapels is the one dedicated to San Martín. It is decorated with vivid frescoes that tell Biblical stories in jewel tones. Don’t miss the Torre del Gallo, its distinctive dome shimmers under the Salamanca sun.
New cathedral (Catedral Nueva)
Prepare for drama. This soaring Gothic masterpiece overwhelms with its ribbed vaults, towering nave, and gilded altarpiece. The chapels brim with Renaissance and Baroque details, while the stained glass scatters colored light across the stone, creating a kaleidoscope effect that feels alive.
Portals and carvings
Take your time admiring the intricate details here. You can expect to find carvings of saints, kings, mythological figures, that quirky astronaut, and even a dragon eating an ice cream. These playful details are proof that even stonemasons had a sense of humor.
Bell tower
Climb up for sweeping views of Salamanca’s golden sandstone skyline. The Torre de las Campanas offers panoramas over the rooftops, the university, and beyond, while up-close views of the bells remind you this cathedral still beats with daily life.
Chapels and altars
Each side chapel tells its own story, from richly decorated tombs of bishops to shrines glowing with votive candles. The main altarpiece, a glittering Gothic-Renaissance masterpiece, anchors the New Cathedral and pulls you into a world of saints, angels, and sacred drama.
