The Salamanca of Antonio de Nebrija
Join us on a journey through the city of Salamanca and follow in the footsteps of Antonio de Nebrija, through places where he lived and left his mark.
Elio Antonio de Nebrija
Antonio Martínez de Cala y Xarana (1441–1522) was the first Hispanic Humanist. Celebrated for his Castilian Grammar (1492), he introduced Italian Renaissance Humanism to the Iberian Peninsula in the early 1470s.
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Roman bridge
The entrance to Salamanca through the Roman gate could be the same one Nebrija entered through. The gate subsequently kept all its Roman features before the south half was repaired. The famous Vía de La Plata, which runs between Mérida and Salamanca, passes through it.
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Statue of Nebrija
Pablo Serrano was commissioned to create a sculpture of Nebrija, which was inaugurated in 1983. In a cubist style, it outlines his portrait: seated (by the cathedral), wearing the bonnet of his first effigies, and surrounded by books. The bronze statue is located near the university.
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The Colegio Trilingüe
Founded in the mid 16th century, this college reformed grammar studies and created a trilingual professorship (Latin, Greek, and Hebrew). In the 16th century, one of its professors included Brocense, who revamped grammar following in the footsteps of Nebrija.
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House of Beatríz Galindo
Beatriz Galindo, called the great grammarian, was a Salamancan who was alive during the era of Nebrija. In the service of Isabella the Catholic and her daughters, Beatriz Galindo talked and wrote in Latin and read them Latin texts. For this reason, she was known by the nickname La Latina.
Plaque Casa Betariz Galindo (1981)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija
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House of Nebrija
An anagram signals the place where Nebrija lived: Here was the house (Hic fruit domus) of Elio Antonio de Nebrija, who was even called an eximio debellatori barbariae (a distinguished fighter against ignorance) during his time. This was designed in 1981 (500th Anniversary of Introductiones Latinae, his most important work).
Victor to Nebrija in Salamanca (1981)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija
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Where Nebrija taught
For the 500th anniversary of Nebrija's death, the phrase Aelius Antonius Nebrissensis was inaugurated in 2022. Hic (Here) must be understood in a broad sense as "at this university;" grammaticam docuit (I teach grammar). It can be found in Escuelas Mayores de Salamanca.
Victor to Nebrija in Salamanca (2022)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija
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El Cielo de Salamanca
Nebrija would go on to publish an introduction to cosmography, In cosmographiae libros introductorium, which coincided with the painting El Cielo de Salamanca (The Heavens of Salamanca) by Fernando Gallego, which is now exhibited in the Colegios Menores. The positioning of the stars shows a night's sky in August in 1475.
El Cielo de Salamanca (1483) by Fernando GallegoFundación Antonio de Nebrija
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University of Salamanca
The facade in the courtyard of the schools may have been built during the time of Nebrija. Within the medallion of the kings is the yoke. This is a personal emblem of King Ferdinand, which was chosen by Nebrija on behalf of the monarch, inspired by the story of the Gordian knot.
Exterior of Salamanca University (12-03-2022)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija
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Old Library
The General History Library of the University of Salamanca had, during the time of Nebrija, just 200 volumes. Today, this library has a huge archive, as well as a wide range of Nebrija's works: grammar books, dictionaries, commentaries, lessons, manuscripts …
Salamanca University Library (12-03-2022)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija
Salamanca University Library (12-03-2022)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija
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Calle Libreros
The first print houses and bookshops emerged on this street during the last two decades of the 15th century. Nebrija had much to do with their establishment. Escuelas Mayores was located on this street. The universities where Nebrija gave his classes were moved here.
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Medallion of Nebrija in the Plaza Mayor
In 1992, to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Nebrija's major works, the Ayuntamiento council granted its highest honor: a medallion in the illustrious gallery of the Plaza Mayor. Nebrija shows his determination and the resolute look of someone who changed the world.
Nebrija medallion in Salamanca (12-03-2022)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija
With information from the project Tras los pasos de Nebrija (In the footsteps of Nebrija)
Some photographs by: Santiago Santos/University of Salamanca
Curator: Rodrigo Díaz
