Maurice Legendre. Francia, Salamanca y Las Hurdes

Abstract

Maurice Legendre (1878-1955), a french Hispanist, an expert in the Spanish region of Las Hurdes and head of the Casa de Velazquez, was linked with Salamanca since the beginning of his career. This city was the starting point from wich he got in touch with Las Hurdes and, thanks to that, an international outlook penetrated what that moment was considered a regional issue. For Legendre, Salamanca was also the city of his great friend Miguel de Unamuno and the region where the Peña de Francia was located. This mountain was for him a symbol of "the fratenity or two immortal nations", thus demolishing the borders between Spain and France. Salamanca was a significant region in the life of this Frenschman who saw in this city the opportunity to strenghen international bonds.