University of Salamanca

While in Salamanca, we also saw the University. University of Salamanca is actually one of the four oldest Universities in the world. Oxford and Cambridge are two of the other four included in the list. It was founded by Alfonso IX in the early 1200's. We were able to see the symbol of the University, which is a painting showing all of the astrological symbols in the stars and was created for Queen Isabella. We learned that in the old classrooms, students use to sit on the floor to listen to lectures. Students learning Latin did not take notes, but learned the language only through memorization. We saw the famous building covered in carvings where the toad of Salamanca is hidden. They say that if you find the toad in the carvings you will have good luck. I found the toad sitting on the top of a skull in a corner of the building. In all the souvenir shops in Salamanca, you could find a University shirt of every color. I made sure to get one to remember my visit to the old University.