The Convent of the Augustinians, whose foundation dates between 1163 and 1377, is a place of immense historical and architectural value in Salamanca. Its main chapel was attributed to Juan de Álava, director of the works of the New Cathedral and other prestigious buildings. This convent extended over 10,000 square meters, encompassing the current archaeological park and reaching to the Plaza de la Merced and Plaza de Fray Luis de León. For centuries, it was a university center for theology with a notable library and renowned faculty, including figures such as Saint John of Sahagún and Fray Luis de León.

Today, the archaeological park reveals fascinating remains of the convent, such as the kitchens, granary, cloister, galleries, guest houses, infirmary, and cellar, providing a detailed insight into daily life and organization within the religious community. These findings allow us to imagine the bustle of meal preparation, crop storage, and the spiritual and social life that animated the convent. The cellar, in particular, shows the importance of wine preservation at the time.

The convent suffered several fires, the most devastating in 1744, which destroyed most of its library. During the War of Independence, French troops expelled the friars and used the convent as a fortification against British attacks led by the Duke of Wellington. In 1810, the convent was set on fire again and subsequently demolished by the French, before being disentailed. These events marked the end of an era for this important religious and academic center.

The Botánico housed the Colegio Mayor de Cuenca, one of the six classic Spanish major colleges, and a cradle of scholars and thinkers. Located north of San Pedro Street, its cloister or main facade must have also had great aesthetic value, constituting an important center of knowledge linked to the University of Salamanca. Its construction began in the 16th century, under the direction of Juan de Álava, although the works extended until the 18th century.

It was one of the most notable buildings in the city. Its founder, Diego Ramírez de Villaescusa, was the Bishop of Cuenca and a former student of the University of Salamanca. During the War of Independence, under French occupation, the former College was used as a barracks and in 1812 it was demolished for strategic reasons and to reuse its stone in other defensive constructions in the city.

The Colegio Mayor de Cuenca featured the participation of Alberto de Churriguera, with a monumental staircase that provided access to the upper floors. The chapel of the College itself was the work of José Benito de Churriguera. This denotes the importance of the building, as it employed the best architects of the time.

In the archaeological site, a main street stands out, acting as a dividing axis. On one side is the Colegio Mayor de Cuenca and on the other the Convent of the Augustinians, while at the end is the church of San Pedro. This road is named as such because it connected the church of San Pedro with the now-disappeared Alcázar de San Juan.

Its pavement, which we can clearly observe today, is composed of river pebbles and sandstone fragments. It also includes two parallel lines made with the same materials that acted as guides for the carts of the time.

Only fragments of this temple’s ancient structure remain visible. Among them are some walls, and of special interest, the checkered floor composed of slate and sandstone that we can observe in this archaeological park of the Botánico. Several polar keystones were brought from this area, which are attributed to the prestigious Plateresque stonemason Juan de Álava, thus providing a silent but eloquent testimony to the rich architectural history of the place.