Salamanca - Casa de las Conchas

Salamanca is a "real city" with a population of more than 140.000 inhabitants.

Under Roman and Visigothic rule called “Helmantica,” the city developed into an important trading center. In the 8th century, Salamanca was taken by the Moors, but in 939 it became Christian again as a result of the Battle of Simancas. Salamanca became a border town to the Islamic south of the Iberian Peninsula and was subsequently exposed to constant attacks, which resulted in depopulation and only after the conquest of Toledo by Alfonso VI. León's rule ended in 1085. In 1102 the period of repopulation began. The Christian new settlers rose against Castile-León in 1162 and called on Portugal for help in 1163, which occupied Salamanca for two years.

Salamanca experienced its heyday in the 16th century. In 1524, the construction of the church and monastery of San Esteban began and at the same time, the new cathedral was built.

The university was founded in 1218 by King Alfonso IX. founded. Founded. It is the oldest university in the Hispanic world and one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world.

The Casa de las Conchas was built from 1493 to 1517 by Rodrigo Arias de Maldonado, a knight of the Order of Santiago de Compostela and a professor at the University of Salamanca. The facade is decorated with more than 300 Coquilles St. Jaques (shells), the symbol of the Order of Santiago and the pilgrims on the Way of St. James.