Rana de Salamanca (Frog of Salamanca), Salamanca

The Frog of Salamanca, often technically a toad, features as an ornamental detail in the elaborate Plateresque stonework on the front of the University of Salamanca’s main building, the Escuelas Mayores: the Main University Buildings. It’s perched distinctly on top of a human skull, yet so small and intricately carved that finding it has become a delightful challenge for visitors and students alike.

Crafted in 1553, the frog and skull are woven into the building’s iconographic program. While precise interpretations may vary, many see it as a cautionary symbol-possibly representing lust or temptation (the frog) contrasted with death (the skull), encouraging students to focus on their academic pursuits.

Over centuries, this subtle icon has inspired numerous legends. One popular belief holds that whoever spots the frog without help, especially among students, will be blessed with academic success or even pass their exams with good fortune. Others say if you find it unaided, you may marry within a year.

Over time, the Frog of Salamanca has grown from a tiny decorative flourish into a beloved symbol of the city. It is frequently featured on souvenirs-from key rings to postcards. Yet, famed local intellectual Miguel de Unamuno once warned that visitors shouldn’t fixate solely on the frog and miss the grandeur of the entire façade-reminding us that there’s far more to admire beyond the search for one detail.