Iglesia de San Martin de Tours (Church of San Martin of Tours), Salamanca

Founded in 1103 by Count Martín Fernández and constructed during the repopulation of Salamanca, Church of Saint Martin of Tours originally rose upon a small hermitage dedicated to Saint Peter within the Toresanos district. Known as Saint Martin of the Market from 1173-named for the market square it graced-it emerged as a smaller-scale echo of the Old Cathedral, distinguished as one of Salamanca’s most important Romanesque structures.

The church features a longitudinal layout with three naves culminating in semicircular apses, though these are now obscured by neighboring buildings. Notably, its 16th-century Elizabethan-style choir and Baroque main altarpiece contribute grandeur to the otherwise modest medieval interior. The church’s enduring structure tells a dramatic tale of resilience: the 1755 Lisbon earthquake twisted its vaults and pillars, leaving visible architectural distortions in the arches and walls today.

Its Romanesque “Bishop’s Door” is framed by a polychrome relief of Saint Martin sharing his cloak-a symbolic depiction of charity. On the south side, the Renaissance “Midday Door”, added in 1586, replaced what was once the main entrance. Over time, the church and the adjacent plaza became vital urban hubs-Saint Martin's square served as Salamanca’s original market center and early town hall location.

Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1931, the Church of Saint Martin of Tours has undergone careful efforts to preserve its historical and architectural legacy. As part of the Atlantic Romanesque Restoration Plan, work over the past decade has focused on stabilizing its structure, conserving original portals, and enhancing visitor experience with interpretive displays about its history.