Pedestrian and ashcans, Salamanca, Spain, July 2010
Salamanca is Spain's most beautiful city and one of its most historically significant. A history of the Middle Ages would be incomplete without its many battles and sieges. More importantly, Salamanca is noted for its gorgeous Renaissance and Baroque architecture, and is one of the crown jewels of the Roman Catholic Church.
Yet, in this picture postcard city is fast becoming deserted as every third shop and building has been left empty, put up sale or rent, thanks to Spain's faltering economy. As I found Salamanca early one Sunday morning, it seemed a brightly-lit ghost town, besieged by silence and the vandal's can of spray paint.
Light switch and graffiti, Salamanca, Spain, July 2010
Shoes for sale, Salamanca, Spain, July 2010
Cracked insulator, lamp fixture, and buildings
Salamanca, Spain, July 2010
The city, as seen through the curtain of a coffee bar
Salamanca, Spain, July 2010
Respite from the heat
Salamanca, Spain, July 2010