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Salamanca's Plaza Mayor, in addition to being of the summits monuments of Spanish Baroque, is the heart of the city. The square is first of all a meeting point, in all related to work and to leisure. It is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful Spanish squares and one of the most beautiful in the world. It was constructed between years 1729 and 1755 by Alberto Churriguera. The city council was designed by Andrés García de Quiñónes. The square has 88 arcs, its spandrels decorated with blazons of distinguished characters of Spain's history: in the eastern wing Spanish kings from Alfonso IX to Carlos III are represented; in the city´s council wing, some saints like Teresa de Jesús and Francisco de Vitoria; in the southern side, discoverers and conquerors; and in the rest, Spanish wisemen. The assembly as a whole constitutes an irregular square with wonderful harmony, produced by the golden tone of its stone.
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Western Europe
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