The 'Astronaut' carving on the north facade was added by restorer Jerónimo García during 1992 renovations as a symbol of the 20th century.
A carving of a faun eating an ice cream cone is also present on the facade, added alongside the astronaut to signify modernity.
The Old Cathedral features a 15th-century altarpiece depicting the Final Judgment, notable for its early use of Italian stylistic influences in Spain.
The cathedral complex took over two centuries to build, resulting in a transition from Romanesque to Gothic and Plateresque architectural styles.
The central dome of the New Cathedral, known as the Torre del Gallo, features a weather vane shaped like a rooster.
The cathedral's archives contain documents detailing the foundation of the University of Salamanca, one of the oldest in the world.
Salamanca Cathedral is a unique architectural complex comprising two distinct cathedrals joined together: the 12th-century Romanesque Old Cathedral and the 16th-century Gothic New Cathedral. The structure is world-renowned for its intricate stone carvings, most notably an astronaut figure carved into the New Cathedral's Puerta de Ramos during a 1992 restoration. The Old Cathedral features a notable galleried cloister and an impressive 15th-century retable by Dello Delli. The New Cathedral displays a late Gothic design with Plateresque influences, characterized by its high vaults and ornate facade. Visitors can access the 'Ieronimus' exhibition, which leads to the cathedral towers and provides elevated views of the interior and the city. The site remains an active religious space, housing significant liturgical art and historical artifacts.
The Puerta de Ramos entrance for close-ups of the unique carvings.
Visit the 'Ieronimus' tower tour to see the interior from the balcony level and gain rooftop access.
Look closely at the Puerta de Ramos facade to spot the modern carvings integrated into the centuries-old stonework.
Allocate time to walk through the peaceful cloisters of the Old Cathedral, which are distinct in atmosphere from the larger New Cathedral.
Do not mistake the smaller Old Cathedral entrance for the main entrance of the New Cathedral; they are connected internally.
Shoulders and knees must be covered inside the cathedral; remove hats and maintain a quiet voice.
