IERONIMUS VIEWPOINT
1 hour 30 minutesThe Ieronimus Viewpoint is located in the towers of Salamanca Cathedral and takes its name from Jerónimo de Perigueux, a French cleric appointed bishop in 1102 during the repopulation promoted by Alfonso VI.
In 2002, to commemorate the ninth centenary of the diocese's restoration, the towers were opened to the public. Since then, the route allows access to spaces that for centuries were only permitted for people linked to the cathedral, becoming one of the city's most unique experiences. Integrated into the Salamanca Viewpoints Route, it offers exceptional views of the historic quarter and unique perspectives of the interior of both cathedrals.
The visit begins in the old dungeons, from where access is gained to the Warden's Room. Here, through a mullioned window, the interior of the Old Cathedral is revealed, dominated at the back by the imposing altarpiece by the Delli brothers.
From there, the route continues to the terrace of the Torre Mocha, one of the itinerary's most emblematic points. From this height, one can behold the Byzantine-style dome of the Old Cathedral —the well-known Torre del Gallo— and, dominating the ensemble, the great dome of the New Cathedral silhouetted against the sky.
The itinerary continues along the platform located at the foot of the New Cathedral and then ascends a narrow spiral staircase to its western terrace, a viewpoint open over the entire city. Finally, the experience culminates in the Bell Tower, the highest point of the route, from which Salamanca unfolds in all directions.
After the reconquest of Toledo, Alfonso VI promoted the repopulation of the territories south of the Duero, including Salamanca. The task was entrusted to Count Raymond of Burgundy and Doña Urraca, who completed the process in 1102 and appointed Jerónimo de Perigord, former chaplain of El Cid, as bishop.
During the Middle Ages, the Old Cathedral, surrounded by battlements, was known as Fortis Salmanticensis due to its defensive appearance. Its western facade included two towers: the Bell Tower and the Mocha Tower, the latter used as a dungeon until 1614 and later as access and housing for the cathedral staff, including the bell ringers, who lived there until the 1960s.
From the beginning of the 18th century, the bell tower underwent successive reforms. After the fire caused in 1705 by a lightning strike on the Bell Tower, master Pantaleón Pontón Setién added the baroque finial that today constitutes the upper body of the tower. The overweight of this structure, which doubled the original height, caused the appearance of large cracks. The Lisbon earthquake of 1755 further aggravated its condition, to the point of threatening ruin. Subsequent repairs included the placement of iron bands on the outer perimeter of the Romanesque shaft, wooden braces in the interior rooms —taking advantage of the spaces of walled-up windows— and a reinforcement of the shaft by means of a smooth ashlar lining with a sloping profile that, from a new foundation, reached the cornice where the upper finial began. Since then, every October 31st, Salamanca remembers that no one died in the city during the aforementioned earthquake, with the ascension of the Mariquelo to the top of the bell tower.
The declaration of the Cathedral as a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1887 paved the way for the first modern restorations. The current tour of the towers began between 1998 and 2001, with the rehabilitation of the Mocha Tower and the Bell Tower within the Master Plan for the Restoration of the Cathedrals of Salamanca.. In 2002, coinciding with the 900th anniversary of the refounding of Salamanca, these spaces were opened to the public under the name of Ieronimus, in homage to the first bishop of the restored Diocese.
Since then, Ieronimus has consolidated its position as one of the city's great tourist attractions, continuously expanding its visitable spaces and renewing its exhibition content. As a result of the collaboration with the Salamanca City Council, in 2013 - coinciding with the centenary of the start of the construction of the New Cathedral - two new spaces in the Bell Tower were opened to the public: the Clock Room and the bell chamber.
In 2025, Ieronimus became part of the newly created Salamanca Viewpoints Route. It is the most prominent viewpoint in the city, an authentic watchtower from which not only the urban center can be contemplated, but also a wide horizon that reaches as far as the southern mountain ranges of the province.
TOUR
Inside Ieronimus, several viewpoints, both interior and exterior, follow one another. The interior viewpoints allow visitors to contemplate the two cathedral temples from privileged “balconies,” while the exterior ones offer multiple perspectives of the city and the temples themselves from an unusual proximity for visitors.
Along the route, visitors access several exterior viewpoints: the Mocha Tower terrace, the Rooster Tower platform with views of Patio Chico, the Anaya terrace, and the upper platform of the New Cathedral and the Bell Tower.
MOCHA TOWER TERRACE
Despite its name, this tower was never truncated. In fact, it was originally lower, until a superior body was added in the 18th century, giving it its current height.
The exit to the Mocha Tower Terrace, located at the foot of the Bell Tower, offers a privileged view of the Cathedral Complex. From here, we see the battlemented roofs of the Old Cathedral —which remind us of the Old Cathedral's defensive character— and, above all, it allows us to enjoy the landscape that unfolds before us.
To the left, we observe the naves and the imposing dome of the New Cathedral. Beneath it stands the Rooster Tower, an oriental-inspired dome considered one of the jewels of Spanish medieval art. In front of us stands the Cloister of the Old Cathedral, Salamanca's first university building, notably featuring the Chapel of Santa Bárbara, where university degree exams were held.
Upstream of the Tormes, Felipe VI Bridge is distinguished, and next to it, the old Convent of the Virgen de la Vega —today Sánchez Fabrés Foundation— from which the image of the Virgen de la Vega, patron saint of Salamanca, currently located in the altarpiece of the Old Cathedral, originates. The Enrique Estevan Bridge, inaugurated in 1913, was the city's second bridge and constitutes an interesting work of iron architecture. On the opposite bank stand the towers of the New Church of the Holy Trinity of Arrabal and the Parador de Turismo building; on the left bank, the Church of Santiago and the Roman Bridge.
As with the rest of the viewpoints on the Viewpoints Route, the Mocha Tower terrace has a self-portrait stand. Through a simple QR code system, visitors can capture their photographs and share them on social media, thus becoming ambassadors of the city.
ALCAIDE'S ROOM AND OLD CATHEDRAL.
This room is located above the entrance hall to the Old Cathedral. From a twin window, situated at the height of the vaults, the entire central nave of the temple can be seen. In the background, the main chapel is distinguished, presided over by the splendid altarpiece by the Delli brothers and the fresco of the Last Judgment by Nicolás Florentino, two masterpieces of late medieval art from the 15th century. A screen in the room allows us to appreciate in detail the different panels of the altarpiece and other elements difficult to observe from the ground.
ROOSTER TOWER PLATFORM AND PATIO CHICO
Before entering the New Cathedral, a walkway leads up to the height of the Rooster Tower, from where it is possible to contemplate all its details up close. From this point, a balcony also offers a magnificent view of Patio Chico.
NEW CATHEDRAL INTERIOR PLATFORM
As they advance, visitors access the platform that surrounds the New Cathedral at the height where the vaults begin. This elevated corridor, inspired by ancient medieval triforia, allows a close appreciation of the temple's complex late Gothic architecture. From here, the grandeur of the building is contemplated in all its magnitude: its three naves with side chapels and the magnificent star-ribbed vaults designed by Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón. The large Renaissance windows flood the space with light filtered by the stained glass, where biblical scenes and figures of patriarchs, prophets, and apostles are represented.
From the center of the balustrade, a privileged view of the majestic Churriguera choir is enjoyed, with its finely carved walnut stalls, flanked by two organs —one Renaissance and one Baroque—. The Main Chapel is presided over by the image of the Virgin of the Assumption, accompanied by imposing sculptures representing the Fathers of the Eastern and Western Church. Above the altar, two large silver urns guard the relics of Saint John of Sahagún, patron saint of Salamanca, and Saint Thomas of Villanueva.
ANAYA TERRACE
From this terrace, one of the most complete and impressive panoramas of Salamanca unfolds. To the west, San Vicente hill rises, the historical origin of the city. At our feet, the Historic University Building stands out, crowned by the bell gable of its chapel, and in the background, the Archbishop Fonseca Major College is distinguished, one of the ancient Major Colleges linked to the University of Salamanca.
Standing out from the monumental complex is the imposing silhouette of the Church of La Clerecía and the Pontifical University, which occupy the old Royal College of the Society of Jesus. To the north, Rúa Mayor opens, the main axis of the historic city, leading to the Church of San Martín. Behind it rises the bell gable of the Town Hall, marking the location of Plaza Mayor.
At the visitor's feet extends Plaza de Anaya, laid out in 1811 during the French occupation of the city. It houses the Church of San Sebastián and the old Major College of San Bartolomé or Anaya. To the east, the Convent of Las Dueñas and the Convent of San Esteban stand out, two essential references of Salamanca's heritage.
Before us rises the majestic silhouette of the New Cathedral. Its three stepped naves, supported by buttresses, flying buttresses, and pinnacles, offer a genuine lesson in late Gothic architecture.
BELL BODY
This room belongs to the upper body of the tower, added in the 18th century. The current bell tower houses fourteen bells, including the largest and most emblematic of Salamanca: the great bell, known as “María de la O.” From this point, the highest in the city, a complete panoramic view towards the four cardinal points is obtained. As a majestic backdrop, to the south of the province, we see the Sierra de Béjar.