In the photo above is an original lecture room in the University of Salamanca. Known as the Sala de Fray Luis de León, it preserves the original benches and the pulpit where this celebrated professor lectured. The University was founded by King Alfonso IX in the 1220s and became one of the most important universities of its time. Christopher Columbus sought support for his voyages of discovery from the enlightened faculty of astronomy. Columbus was also an important part of our studies in Salamanca since everyday on the way to school we walked through Columbus Park and saw him always pointing to the West!