Salamanca
A university city of western Spain, with a legend of a cave where a devil is said to have taught the black arts.
Practised and told of here
Best time: Spring to autumn.
Salamanca has one of the oldest universities in Europe, founded in 1218. A legend places a cave under the church of San Cebrian in which students learned magic from the devil, who then claimed the last pupil to leave. A sealed crypt is the supposed site.
The legend
In Spanish tradition the story is called the Cueva de Salamanca. In one version the last pupil's shadow is taken by the devil, and the man seen without a shadow is a magician. Cervantes and other writers used the tale, and it is an example of a myth about learning, not a record of events.
Real history
Salamanca's scholars included astronomers and astrologers, and the Inquisition watched the university. Fray Luis de Leon, a professor, was jailed in the sixteenth century in a dispute over a Hebrew translation, which shows the risks of study.
Visiting
The old city is a UNESCO site, with a Plaza Mayor, two cathedrals and the university buildings.
A respectful visit to Salamanca
Living communities are not a show. Ask before photographing a person or a ceremony, and follow local rules.
- The university See the old lecture hall and the carved facade.
- The Plaza Mayor Walk the arcaded square.
- Church of San Cebrian Find the site of the legend.
Written by the EveryJaadu desk with AI assistance. Background: "University of Salamanca" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and ceremonies change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.
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