Salamanca has a long historical path, since the pre-roman times, it has been subject to conquests and reconquests, until it was finally assured by the King Alfonso VI, still its main international character was provided by the King Alfonso IX, in 1200, due to the foundation of the Estudio General.

The new university was soon granted with large favors, to the point that pope Alexander IV stated that is was one of world's main four thinking-tanks. It is university life which provides the city with its main character and intensive living-style, being salamanca the main university city in Spain.