Salamanca - Catedral Nueva

Salamanca is a "real city" with a population of more than 140.000 inhabitants.

Under Roman and Visigothic rule called “Helmantica,” the city developed into an important trading center. In the 8th century, Salamanca was taken by the Moors, but in 939 it became Christian again as a result of the Battle of Simancas. Salamanca became a border town to the Islamic south of the Iberian Peninsula and was subsequently exposed to constant attacks, which resulted in depopulation and only after the conquest of Toledo by Alfonso VI. León's rule ended in 1085. In 1102 the period of repopulation began. The Christian new settlers rose against Castile-León in 1162 and called on Portugal for help in 1163, which occupied Salamanca for two years.

Salamanca experienced its heyday in the 16th century. In 1524, the construction of the church and monastery of San Esteban began and at the same time, the new cathedral was built.
The "New Cathedral" ("Catedral Nueva") is, together with the "Old Cathedral" ("Catedral Vieja"), one of the two cathedrals of Salamanca. It is the seat of the Diocese of Salamanca.

Following the Reconquista, the Salamanca grew in population and prosperity. The old Romanesque cathedral no longer met the size and representational demands of the bishop, university, and city. In 1513, construction began on the ew bishop's church, which was designed to have enormous dimensions. The northern transept arm of the old church was demolished for this purpose. The ceremonial consecration of the new cathedral did not take place until 1733 after a long, eventful construction history. During the Lisbon earthquake of 1755, the central dome and the bell tower collapsed. The reconstruction was completed by 1762.

This baroque altar hosts an extraordinary medieval Crucifix.

Cristo de las Batallas

The origin of "Cristo de las Batallas" ("Christ of Battles") may date back to the time of the Reconquista in the 11th century. This image shaped the liturgical ceremonies during El Cid´s campaigns.