Plaza de Colón

Plaza de Colón is a small but meaningful square in Salamanca, marking one of the gateways into the city's historic centre. Despite sharing its name with the far larger and better-known square in Madrid, this is an entirely different place — compact, green, and steeped in local history, popular with visitors walking toward the old town.

Where does the square's name come from?

The square has carried its current name since 1893, when — a year later than planned — the city marked the four-hundredth anniversary of Christopher Columbus's discovery of America. Before that, the spot was known as Plaza de San Adrián, after a church of the same name that once stood here but no longer survives. To mark the anniversary, a monument to the explorer was erected, and it remains the square's centrepiece to this day.

What will you see there?

The heart of the square is the monument to Christopher Columbus, created by sculptor Eduardo Barrón and completed in 1893. The figure of the navigator stands surrounded by four large yew trees, planted for their symbolic value as a tribute to Columbus and his voyages. This pairing of sculpture and greenery gives the square, despite its modest size, the feel of a carefully composed space rather than an incidental patch of green.

It's also worth taking a moment to look at the buildings around the square, which span very different periods. Among them is the historic Palacio de la Salina, the former convent of the Discalced Trinitarians (Convento de los Trinitarios Descalzos), which today houses Salamanca's law courts (Juzgados de Salamanca), as well as the church of San Pablo. Alongside these historic façades and a medieval tower, more recent architecture also appears nearby — this contrast between old and new is one of the defining traits of this part of the city.

How do you get to Plaza de Colón?

The square sits at the edge of Salamanca's historic centre, and the easiest way to reach it is on foot — it's only a short walk of a few minutes from Plaza Mayor. Since Salamanca is very much a city built for walking, and its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the simplest approach is to fold Plaza de Colón into a walking route through the historic centre rather than looking for public transport. Because of the nearby law courts, foot traffic in the area tends to be a little heavier on weekdays than at weekends.

When is the best time to visit?

The square can be visited year-round, since it's an open public space with no set opening hours. In spring and autumn, the yew trees around the monument look particularly striking, and mild temperatures make for pleasant longer walks around the old town. In summer, it's worth timing a visit for early morning or late afternoon, when the heat is less intense and the light is better for photographing the monument and its surrounding greenery.

Frequently asked questions

Is Plaza de Colón in Salamanca the same place as the famous square in Madrid? No. These are two entirely separate squares that share a name because both honour Christopher Columbus. Salamanca's version is much smaller and more intimate, shaped by local city history rather than by the role of a major transport hub, as in Madrid.

Why is the monument surrounded by yew trees specifically? The four yew trees planted around the Columbus statue carry symbolic weight, intended as a tribute to the navigator and his achievements, while also forming a natural setting for the monument.

Is it worth combining a visit here with other nearby sights? Yes. The Palacio de la Salina, the former Discalced Trinitarian convent (now the law courts), and the church of San Pablo all sit right next to the square, making it a natural stop on any walk through Salamanca's historic centre.

Is there an entrance fee for the square? No, Plaza de Colón is an open public space that can be visited free of charge at any time of day.