BETWEEN LEGENDS AND WALLED HISTORIES
The Cave of Salamanca is a magical place, not only because of its legend but also due to its history and current vibrant cultural life, closely linked to the Wall of Salamanca. In fact, it’s located opposite the Interpretation Center of the walls, next to the Tower of the Marquis of Villena and the Old Fence of the Wall. This wall was once the protagonist, for example, when the well-known Carthaginian Hannibal took the city of Salamanca in 220 BC, aided by elephants. Quite something! The wall is also accompanied by a moat dug directly into the rock, although very little of this remains now as the construction of the medieval wall buried the pre-Roman defenses.
The cave is, in reality, the crypt of the old Church of San Cebrián, demolished in the 16th century. And although its origin is quite mundane, the stories that revolve around it are otherworldly, imbued with mystery, legends, and myths. These stories are not just part of gossip, anecdotes, or hoaxes. Writers of the stature of Miguel de Cervantes have immortalized the legend in works such as “The Cave of Salamanca”. Its influence was such that in Hispanic America, the word “Salamanca” is sometimes used as a synonym for caves, or places where spirits appear… It has even taken such deep root that Salamanca is used to refer to something dark or mythologized (according to the Royal Spanish Academy). Other authors like Francisco Rojas Zorrilla, Juan Ruiz de Alarcón, and even the Englishman Walter Scott have also mentioned this place in their works.
The truth is that the Cave of Salamanca is not a cave in the usual sense as we might understand it today. Originally, it was the crypt of the Church of San Cebrián, a 12th-century Romanesque temple. When the church was demolished in the 16th century, the crypt was exposed and began to be used for various purposes, from a warehouse for the palace of the Mayorazgo de Albandea, to a bakery, and even a coal shop. This is how mundane its true history is, far removed from esoteric mysteries.
However, the magic of the Cave of Salamanca didn't remain in the past. Today, this space is a vibrant cultural center where one can enjoy the magic of theater, music, dance, and much more art. Like a spectacular light show that transforms the place, making it even more enchanting.
If you're wondering what to do in Salamanca, you can't miss visiting the Cave of Salamanca. It's a place that transports you through time, from its historical origins linked to the Wall of Salamanca to the most fascinating legends, and immerses you in a rich cultural agenda that will make you want to stay forever, without losing your shadow, of course!
MAGIC AND LEGENDS IN
THE CAVE OF SALAMANCA_
Imagine that in this cave, the devil himself taught necromancy (divination by summoning the dead). Yes, you read that right, the devil giving classes! According to legend, for seven years, seven students learned the dark secrets of black magic, with one small detail to consider: one of them had to stay with the devil as payment. The legend goes that the Marquis of Villena, one of these students, tried to escape when his turn came to stay, but in his flight, he lost his shadow, which marked him for life. This was the distinctive mark left by these teachings…
VISITS_
HOURS:
Every day from 8:30 AM to 9:30 PM.
Note: Schedules and conditions are subject to change. It is recommended to check the updated information on salamancaymas.es before attending.
In Salamanca, the past isn’t just a memory; it’s a living, visible constellation, ready to be explored under the light of a new day. And even if you visit it two, three, four… dozens of times, it always seems new, different, distinct. It always feels like the first time.
PLAN DE SOSTENIBILIDAD TURÍSTICA DE SALAMANCA
