Cielo de Salamanca (Sky Over Salamanca), Salamanca

Within the courtyard of the Minor Schools at the University of Salamanca, the Sky Over Salamanca is a stunning 15th鈥慶entury fresco originally painted by Fernando Gallego in the 1480s. It once adorned the vault of the old university library鈥攏ow transformed into the Chapel of Saint Jerome鈥攂ut most of the original structure collapsed during later alterations. Only one-third of the celestial ceiling survived, hidden behind a false ceiling until its rediscovery in 1901.

The surviving fragment鈥攔oughly 8.7 meters in diameter鈥攊s a richly detailed astrological diagram, painted on a quarter鈥憇phere vault. It portrays zodiac signs such as Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius, alongside constellations like Hydra, Bo枚tes, and Hercules. The Sun and Mercury are represented dramatically鈥攐ne riding a chariot and the other atop an eagle鈥慸rawn vehicle鈥攔eflecting the iconography of the Poeticon Astronomicon, referred in English as 鈥淭he Poetical Astronomy鈥�.

Far more than decorative art, the fresco is a remarkable artifact of medieval science and education. Influenced by the university's recently established chair of astrology, the fresco likely served as a planetarium for teaching astronomy and medicine鈥攐ffering students a visual guide to the cosmos and astrological houses. Despite popular belief, it does not represent the actual sky above Salamanca on a specific date鈥攃onstellations from both hemispheres are depicted together鈥攗nderscoring its symbolic, not literal, purpose.

Today, visitors can view this preserved fragment in the University Museum housed within the Minor Schools. The fresco, carefully transferred to canvas in the early 1950s, stands as a quiet yet mesmerizing reminder of the Golden Age of intellectual and artistic endeavor in Salamanca.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Salamanca. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 黑料吃瓜网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Cielo de Salamanca (Sky Over Salamanca)
Sight Location: Salamanca, Spain (See walking tours in Salamanca)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Salamanca's Historical Buildings Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Salamanca, Spain

Create Your Own Walk in Salamanca

Creating your own self-guided walk in Salamanca is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Salamanca Introduction Walking Tour

Polybius, the ancient Greek historian, called it "Helmantike." Another ancient Greek historian, Plutarch, opted for "Salmatike." The word "Salamanca" itself refers to a "cave," "grotto," or "dark place." Legend says Satan taught Black Magic in the Caves of Salamanca.

Salamanca's splendor began with the royal charter of Alfonso IX... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles

Salamanca's Historical Buildings Walking Tour

Salamanca 鈥� one of Spain鈥檚 most delightful and intriguing destinations 鈥� is a treasure trove of architectural marvels. The abundance of well-preserved, centuries-old wonders of construction tucked away in the labyrinth of narrow lanes in this prestigious university city is truly awe-inspiring. A true feast for the eyes, they are so impressive that the entire historic center of Salamanca was... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

黑料吃瓜网