The Palacio de Anaya of Salamanca !!!

We were back to my dear Spain again !! love it !! We came by car of course and took time to see new areas and old repeat with some of them as introduction to my sons and our dog Rex ! I rented a small house in a off the beaten path country town that was just perfect ! I like to continue the saga of our new road warrior experiences even if now with less in our family, This post is on a continuation of my saga with new found pictures in my cd rom vault that should be in my blog for you and me. Therefore, let me tell you about the Palacio de Anaya of Salamanca !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The Palacio de Anaya Palace is one of the few neoclassical buildings in Salamanca. It is named after Diego de Anaya Maldonado, founder of the College of San Bartolomé in 1401. Construction began in 1760 to replace the previous building of the Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé, which was badly damaged in the Lisbon earthquake of 1755. Its most striking features are the façade and the imperial staircase inside the palace, where there is also an interesting bust of Miguel de Unamuno,done in 1930. After the suppression of university colleges, the building served various purposes, including as the Civil Government headquarters, which is why it is currently known as a palace, although it was originally a college. The Anaya Palace currently houses the Faculty of Philology of the University of Salamanca. The main façade features a grand portico with four columns topped by a pediment and a staircase; a large heraldic shield stands out at the very top of the building. The ten windows on the ground floor boast beautiful ironwork grilles, and there are another ten balconies on the upper floor. Next to the college is the Hospedería, known as ‘Las Caballerizas’ (The Stables) one of the most popular university bars in the city’s old quarter., built in 1715 which housed students who paid for their studies by serving other noble and wealthy students who occupied the College. Today it is used for classrooms and offices, and its former stables house the Faculty’s cafeteria. Also adjacent is the Baroque Church of San Sebastián, formerly the college’s chapel and now the Cathedral Parish Church.

The Plaza de Anaya Square comprises four beautiful gardens located in front of the Cathedral, perfect for taking a break surrounded by the stunning buildings of the University of Salamanca. Aside from the New Cathedral, the most famous building overlooking the Square is the Palacio de Anaya Palace, a neoclassical palace situated directly opposite the Cathedral. Its grand staircase, triangular pediment, and four Ionic columns are particularly striking. The first building was constructed to accommodate students who would receive a more selective education, but it now houses the Faculty of Philology. Inside, one can admire its courtyard with a double gallery of columns, an imperial-style staircase, and the bust of one of the University of Salamanca’s most famous professors, Miguel de Unamuno.

The Plaza de Anaya square originated in 1811. Paul Thiébault, then the military commander of the French occupation army in Salamanca, staying at the Palacio de Anaya Palace, formerly the Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé, dating back to 1710 , bordered the demolition of the block of houses located between the palace façade and the north side of the Nueva Catedral or New Cathedral. These houses, owned by the Cathedral Chapter, formed the streets of San Sebastián and Las Cadenas, and their destruction significantly reduced the size of the Cathedral’s parish. The urban development project was supported by Bishop Tavira; however, the Cathedral Chapter was never compensated for the loss of its properties. Anaya Square was sometimes an open field and at other times a dense acacia grove. In 1890, it was enlarged when Rúa Street was extended to it, and some previously built-up lots were demolished. In 1932, the first major renovation of the square took place. The cathedral’s atrium was modified so that, without losing the staircase at its corner, its wall would now be parallel to the façade of the Anaya Palace. This allowed for the design of a rectangular garden in which the statue of Father Cámara, erected in 1910, occupied a prominent position. The last major renovation, begun in 1972 and completed in 1975, gave the square its current appearance. The design established the current street levels and a lowered atrium parallel to the cathedral façade, lowered by 60 centimeters. The angled staircase was replaced with a new staircase facing the Puerta de Ramos Gate.

The University of Salamanca facultad de Filologia in the Palacio de Anaya : https://facultadfilologia.usal.es/historia/edificios-facultad/

The Castilla y Léon region tourist office on the palacio de Anaya : https://www.turismocastillayleon.com/en/heritage-culture/palaces/palace-anaya

There you go folks , another wonderful nostalgic, sentimental trip to my dear Spain, Do not know when we will be back, we sure will have this trip in our hearts forever, Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Palacio de Anaya of Salamanca !!! as I

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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