The Old Cathedral in Salamanca is joined to the New Cathedral and you really need a lot of time, and several visits, to take it all in. I could easily return.
A brief history
The old cathedral1 is dedicated to Santa Maria de la Sede and Bishop Jerome of Perigord founded the cathedral in the 12th century. Romanesque in style, it took two centuries to completed. The earthquake of 1755 in Lisbon caused a lot of damage and much restoration and rebuilding was necessary.
Outside
The Torre del Gallo is the distinctive Romanesque roof of the Old Cathedral and so named because of the cock weathervane on top of the roof. It is in the middle of the photograph below and with a little imagination you can just make out a cock!
The two cathedrals as viewed from the bottom of the Plaza de los Leones. The Old Cathedral is on the left of the cedar tree.
Parts of the cathedrals include the bleeding sandstone which was so prominent in Avila, and of course Salamanca and Avila are not far apart. The stone is quarried half way between the two towns, at La Collila.
Inside the Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Sede
The altarpiece is by Nicolo Delli and dates from 1430 and he also painted the Last Judgement (1445) at the top. In this extraordinary creation he had the collaboration of his brothers Dello and Sanson.
I have enlarged a few of the paintings even though they are grainy because they are so extraordinary. I think the camera and computer have done quite well considering how far away I was and the level of non-light.
The Chapel of St Martin
The Chapel of St Martin is also known as the Capilla del Aceite – the Chapel of Oil – because the oil for cathedral lamps were stored in the chapel. This Chapel stood under the Bell Tower which was damaged. The current Tower of the New Cathedral was built on top of the Chapel. There are several old tombs here and a lot of wall paintings dating from the 11th and 12th centuries.
The murals
I noticed paintings all along the side wall of the cathedral but I can’t find any further information. I should have bought a book at the cathedral – note to self – don’t be mean next time!
Villamayor stone: https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2013EGUGA..1512263G/abstract
Cloister
The earthquake of 1755 damaged the original cloister and today’s cloister is a later building.
The Old Cathedral in Salamanca is very beautiful and more atmospheric than its newer neighbour. But there is a lot to take in; it would be nice if the cathedral issued a ticked which allowed you to return, as in the cathedral and churches in Burgos.
A last evening in Salamanca - London Traveller
[…] Run Mayor runs from the Plaza Mayor to the Cathedrals on the Plaza Anaya and it is always packed with people, many obviously tourists. Shops stay open […]
restlessjo
It looks wonderful 🤗🩷