The pride of the city for its historical, artistic and cultural value is the university. It was founded in 1218, by king Alfonso IX. It was confirmed as a university in the Magna Carta by Alfonso X in 1254.

In its beginnings it followed the model of Bologna, giving priority to civil and canon law studies over theological and philosophical studies, with more primacy in the University of Paris. It became the most prestigious European university during its period of greatest influence in Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Plateresque façade is a must, and once inside, the Fray Luis de León classroom or the reliefs of the cloister staircase. Its library, dating from 1254 and created by Alfonso X the Wise, houses manuscripts with a value impossible to calculate.

Right in front of the University is the Patio de Escuelas Mayores, which was designed to facilitate the observation of the great facade of the University. Inside the courtyard you will find the Student Hospital (1412), where nowadays is the rectorate, the Gothic construction of the Major Schools (1415), the Minor Schools (1533) and, of course, the facade of the University (1512-1516).

Entering the Patio de Escuelas Menores , you get into the "Cielo de Salamanca" (Salamanca sky). It embodies an astrological treatise, which was probably used for pedagogical purposes in the fields of astronomy and astrology at the University. There are stories between the students saying that if you want to pass the exams and the course, you have to find the frog on the facade of the University. If you look for it without clues, it is a small challenge, and a small pride to find it.