Wednesday afternoon we had a tour of the cathedrals, Los Jardines de Calixto y Melibea, and the Church of San Esteban (St. Stephen).
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| The tour took us up a tower named "Ieronimus" (Jerónimo). The tower connects la Catedral Vieja (13th century Romanesque style) with la Catedral Nueva (17th century, Gothic). |
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| On a walkway in the interior of la Catedral Nueva |
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| In the Gardens of Calixto & Melibea |
An important piece of Spanish literature, La Celestina, takes place in Salamanca. In the story are a young man, Calixto, who is in love with Melibea. Melibea is not in love with Calixto; an old woman, Celestina, keeps suggesting to Melibea that Calixto would be a good catch. Melibea eventually follows the suggestion and falls in love. The spend 3 nights in this garden. Calixto dies in an accident, and when Melibea finds out, she commits suicide. People come to the gardens to drink of the water from the fountain, and to visit the well (below).
At the well, lovers will attach a lock, and throw the key into the well to symbolize their love.
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| a statue of Celestina |
At the end of the day, we went to the Plaza Mayor. The plaza is alive with people and music, usually
Tunas. This day there was a mariachi band.
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| Tomando churros y chocolate |
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| Listening to a Tuna. The members of a tuna are called tunos. |
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