Slumming it in Salamanca

Our first view of the Cathedral de Salamanca...

 ... and believe it or not, our apartment was a stones throw from it in the old town itself!

Here's our view from the apartment lounge room window...

...and no we weren't in jail, the bars are to keep the riff-raff out.  Tons of tourist groups seem to start their walking tours from just outside our window.  Thank god for double glazing.
Here's Lea at the front door...

... we spent quite a bit of time there trying to get in due to a dodgey lock!!!  Funnily enough after a couple of drinks the lock seemed to work just fine???

The old town of Salamanca was incredible.  Around each corner there was a new postcard picture...

The new cathedral - Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance styles

... the elegant Plaza Mayor with its arcades on all sides.. residents must be sleeping in, the view from their balconies would be fantastic.

 

 Here is one of the plainest churches we've seen (inside and out) - not so glitzy but very unique.

The central motif of the altar like facade of the Convento San Esteban is of San Esteban getting stoned, the more unpleasant way.

 

La Casa de la Conchas (house of shells) - where shells are the main decoration of the facade.

The Museo de Art Nuevo y Art Deco - a standout inside and out with leadlilght ceiling and front wall

 ... this was our first museum visit of the trip - but worth the wait.  (Sorry weren't allowed to take photos inside, but trust us, it was stunning - google it)