COLEGIO MAYOR DE ANAYA
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The Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé, also called Colegio Viejo or Colegio Mayor de Anaya, was founded in 1401 by Diego de Anaya Maldonado (1357-1437), Bishop of Salamanca. It was the first "colegio mayor" (major college) to exist in Spain, serving as a model for the other three that emerged within the University of Salamanca (Cuenca, Fonseca, and Oviedo) and for others that arose in Spain and Hispanic America. It was founded for students with limited economic resources, which is why Diego de Anaya endowed the institution with income, establishing in its constitutions scholarships for poor students. Its importance was paramount intellectually, providing prominent figures for the Church and the Monarchy; its students occupied the highest positions in the State, both in the civil and ecclesiastical spheres.
Its prestige soon attracted the attention of the nobility, who, over time, managed to gain access for younger sons of the nobility. Once inside, they distorted its Constitutions to favor the nobility to the detriment of poor students. The great power they came to achieve, monopolizing university chairs and the most important positions in the Administration, led to the suppression of the "colegios mayores" in 1778 by Charles IV, following a reform by Charles III.
After the suppression of the University Colleges, the building was used as an episcopal palace, the residence of General Thiébault during the French Invasion, who ordered the demolition of the houses between the palace and the Cathedral, which gave rise to Anaya Square. Around 1840, the entire Colegio de San Bartolomé became state property. It was successively used as the headquarters of the Provincial Museum, the Civil Government, the Treasury, and Telegraphs, until in 1927 the building regained its educational function as the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Currently, it houses the Faculty of Philology.
The replacement of the old Gothic-style Colegio de Anaya with the current one was a gradual process. First, the "hospedería" (lodging house), a work by Joaquín de Churriguera, and a new chapel, built by Alberto de Churriguera, were constructed in Baroque style. Later, between 1760 and 1767, the main building was completely renovated. The plans were drawn up by José de Hermosilla, while the direction of the work was carried out by Juan de Sagarvinaga, master of the works of the New Cathedral at that time.
THE COLLEGE
The building has a square plan, with its four sides organized around a large lintelled courtyard. Its main facade, located opposite the New Cathedral, is flanked to the west and east by the church of San Sebastián and the Hospedería, which project from the facade forming a 'U' shape.
The imposing Neoclassical facade is preceded by a scenic staircase. It plays with the two-color scheme of golden Villamayor stone and gray granite. The center is accentuated by a monumental portico supported by columns of a giant order, topped by a triangular pediment with an oculus, reminiscent of classical influence. The facade is crowned by a balustrade in the center of which stands the large coat of arms of the Anaya family.
Upon passing through its portico, once past the entrance hall, its courtyard impresses with its dimensions and severity. It is one of the few lintelled courtyards preserved in Salamanca. Here, the two-color scheme seen on the facade is re-employed, adding an interesting chromatic play to the ensemble. It consists of two lintelled tiers on monolithic columns, Tuscan order on the lower and Ionic on the upper.
On the west side is the imperial-style staircase, with three flights, starting with two pilasters adorned with lions reminiscent of those on the staircase of the Royal Palace of Madrid. It is covered by a brick-plastered and whitewashed cloister vault, which features the coat of arms of the founder, Diego de Anaya, in its center. On the landing is a bust of Miguel de Unamuno made by Victorio Macho in 1929, when the rector was exiled in Hendaye.
LODGING HOUSE
To the right of the college, around a bend, is the entrance to the Hospedería, built in the early 18th century by Joaquín de Churriguera. It is situated at a lower level than the college due to the slope descending towards the Santo Domingo stream. The hospederías were built as residences for students of the "colegios mayores" who, upon completion of their studies, could remain in them until they found employment in the state or church administration.
It has a quadrangular plan; the facade features large, regularly distributed windows, with notable wrought-iron balconies. It has an interior courtyard, clearly influenced by traditional Renaissance courtyards in Salamanca. The sculptural decoration of two of the bays remains unfinished. Currently, like the college, it houses the Faculty of Philology.
THE CHURCH OF SAN SEBASTIÁN
Next to the College, and forming part of the same complex of buildings, is the Church of San Sebastián. It was the old chapel of the Colegio de Anaya, built by Alberto Churriguera in Baroque style. On the exterior, its two richly decorative portals stand out, with niches housing the images of San Sebastián and San Juan de Sahagún, who was parish priest of this church. The complex is topped by an imposing dome crowned by a lantern that adds verticality and solemnity to the building.