The other day, all the Emory students here in Salamanca got the chance to go on a tour with our Emory advisor who told us about our school and more about the amazing history behind the buildings we pass by everyday.
1. 800 years old
It turns 800 years old soon and was founded in 1218. There is a clock near one of the academic buildings that displays how many days until it turns 800 years old.
2. The library
It is home to the world's first university library which is absolutely breathtaking--it looks like a scene out of Harry Potter. Obviously due to its historical relevancy, it is not used as a library but is a beautiful place to see when coming to Salamanca.
3. 4th oldest university in the world
It is one of the world's oldest universities and Spain's oldest university. It follows right behind universities like Oxford and Bologna.
4. Christopher Colombus walked the halls
Christopher Columbus has been to the school...he argued his case to a council at the University of Salamanca for going to travel across the ocean and eplore the Indies in 1492.
5. The facade
Legend has it that if you can find the image of the skull and frog on the school's famous facade, it gives students good luck on their next exam. However, as we learned in our literature class, the symbol of a skull was meant to warn of death and the symbol of the frog to represent lust so really, its intention is to warn students against lust and distractions.
