Facade of the University of Valladolid, Baroque facade in University Square, Spain.
The Facade of the University of Valladolid is a baroque stone structure that rises in University Square. It features four giant Corinthian columns with sculptures representing Sciences and Letters placed in niches between them, and a decorative balustrade along the top.
The facade was built between 1716 and 1718 under Carmelite monastery supervision. It remains the sole preserved element from the original university building and survived the modifications that transformed the rest of the structure.
Four statues of Spanish monarchs stand on the balustrade, serving as symbols of royal patronage for the university. These figures are part of the square's visual identity and remind visitors of the support that sustained the institution over time.
The facade sits on a busy square and can be viewed from multiple sides, allowing different perspectives of the architecture. A daytime visit provides the best light for photographing and appreciating the stonework and details.
Local students maintain that counting the lions on the facade before completing their law degree brings academic misfortune. This curious superstition has become part of campus tradition and is taken seriously by generations of students.
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