Alcalá de Henares facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alcalá de Henares
Municipality
University of Alcalá Magistral Cathedral Palace of Laredo Plaza de Cervantes Archiepiscopal Palace Courtyard of Saint Thomas of Villanueva
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Community of Madrid
Founded	1st century BC
Area
• Total	87.72 km2 (33.87 sq mi)
Elevation	594 m (1,949 ft)
Population  (2018)
• Total	193,751
• Density	2,208.74/km2 (5,720.6/sq mi)
Demonyms	Alcalaíno -a, complutense
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	28801-28807
Dialing code	(+34) 91
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	University and Historic Precinct of Alcalá de Henares
Criteria	Cultural: ii, iv, vi
Inscription	1998 (22nd Session)

Alcalá de Henares is a historic city in Spain, located in the Community of Madrid. It sits by the Henares River, about 31 kilometers (19 miles) northeast of Madrid. As of 2018, it is home to over 193,000 people, making it the third-largest city in its region.

The city has a very long history, starting with a Roman settlement called Complutum. Later, during the time of Muslim rule, a fortress (called Alcalá in Arabic) was built. After the Christians took control, the city grew on the original Roman site. For many centuries, it was owned by the archbishops of Toledo.

Today, Alcalá de Henares is famous for its beautiful old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It also has a strong university tradition, with the University of Alcalá located there. It is also the birthplace of the famous writer Miguel de Cervantes, who wrote Don Quixote.

What's in a Name?

Locally, people often just call the city Alcalá. However, de Henares (meaning 'of the Henares River') is added to tell it apart from other Spanish cities with the same name. The word Alcalá comes from an Arabic word meaning "fortress" or "citadel".

The city's old Latin name, Complutum, means "confluence". This refers to a place where rivers or rainwater flow together into one spot.

A Journey Through Time

Roman mosaic of the four seasons, from the House of Bacchus in Complutum

People have lived in the area around Alcalá de Henares since the Bronze Age. The Romans arrived in the 1st century BC and built a town called Complutum. This Roman town was quite large, with about 10,000 people. It was an important stop on the Roman road that connected major cities.

After the Roman Empire fell, the city became less important. However, it became a place for pilgrims to visit, honoring Saints Justo and Pastor.

When the Moors invaded in 711, they built a new settlement with a fortress (al-qalʿa) on a nearby hill. This place is now known as Alcalá la Vieja (Old Alcalá). In 1118, Christian forces led by the Archbishop of Toledo took the city back.

The Christians preferred to live on the original Roman site, and the Muslim settlement was left behind. Alcalá became an important town under Christian rule. It had Jewish and Moorish neighborhoods and a busy marketplace. Because of its central location, the Kings of Castile often stayed there when traveling.

In the 1480s, Christopher Columbus met King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile in Alcalá. They later helped fund his famous voyages.

The city was officially made a city in 1687. In the late 1800s, Alcalá grew again, becoming a military base and starting to develop industries.

The city suffered a lot of damage during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). After the war, it began to rebuild and grow.

Church History

Alcalá de Henares has a significant church history. It was one of the first places in Spain to have a bishopric.

A very important book, the Complutensian Polyglot Bible, was printed here in the 16th century. This Bible was special because it showed the text in several languages side-by-side.

In 1885, Alcalá's church area was joined with the diocese of Madrid. The old bishop's residence now holds historical records.

Jewish History

During the time of Muslim rule, Jewish people in Alcalá had equal rights with Christians. In the Middle Ages, the Jewish community was quite large, with about 200 families.

Hebrew studies were encouraged at the University of Alcalá in the 16th century. The Jewish quarter of the city was located between Mayor, Santiago, Imagen, and Cervantes streets. There were also two synagogues.

In 1492, the Alhambra Decree forced Jews to either become Christian or leave Spain. Many left for North Africa, Amsterdam, and the Ottoman Empire. Some historians believe that the family of Miguel de Cervantes might have had Jewish origins.

Where is Alcalá?

Alcalá de Henares as seen by the Sentinel-2 of the European Space Agency

Alcalá de Henares is in the middle of Spain, on a flat area called the Inner Plateau. It is located in the valley of the Henares River. The land on the north side of the river is very flat, while the south side has steep clay hills.

The city is about 654 meters (2,146 feet) above sea level and covers about 88 square kilometers (34 square miles). For a long time, the city was located between the Henares River to the south and the Madrid-Barcelona railway to the north. As the population grew, the city expanded beyond the railway and the A-2 motorway.

Weather in Alcalá

Alcalá has a semi-arid climate, which means it has dry weather. Winters are cold and dry, and summers are hot and dry. The average temperature for the whole year is about 14°C (57°F).

The city gets about 300 mm (12 inches) of rain each year, mostly in spring and autumn. Temperatures can drop below 0°C (32°F) in December and January. In July and August, temperatures can go above 40°C (104°F). The driest time of year is summer, when it is also the hottest.

The University

The rectorado of the University of Alcalá

The university is a major part of Alcalá de Henares. It has two main campuses. One is on the north side of the city and has science departments and student housing. The other, central campus, has humanities and social science departments.

The design of the University of Alcalá has influenced other universities. For example, the University of San Diego in the US and some buildings at Texas Tech University were inspired by its architecture.

A cloister part of the university

The original university, called Universidad Complutense, was founded in Alcalá in 1293. It became very famous in the 1500s, especially for printing the Complutensian Polyglot Bible. In 1836, this university moved to Madrid.

A new university, the Universidad de Alcalá, was founded in 1977 in the old university buildings. These buildings, like the Colegio de San Ildefonso, have served as a model for universities in the Americas.

Laredo Palace

The university chapel has a monument to its founder, Cardinal Cisneros. Even though the current university is called "Universidad de Alcalá," the very old university founded by Cisneros is now in Madrid and called "Universidad Complutense."

The Cathedral

Cathedral of the Santos Niños.

One of the most important buildings in Alcalá is the Cathedral-Magistral of Saints Justus and Pastor. It is often called the Catedral de los Santos Niños. It was built between 1497 and 1514. The cathedral holds the remains of Saints Justus and Pastor, who were two Christian schoolboys. They were killed near the city in the early 4th century.

The western façade of the Cathedral of the Santos Niños, in a "florid" or "Isabelline Gothic" style

A chapel was first built here in 414. It became a cathedral during the time of the Visigoths. After the Moors destroyed it, a new church was built in 1122. The current cathedral was rebuilt in the beautiful Isabelline Gothic style under Cardinal Cisneros. A tall tower was added between 1528 and 1582.

The building was named a national monument in 1904. Sadly, it was burned during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), and most of its contents were destroyed.

Cardinal Cisneros' tomb, in the cathedral

Oidor Church

In 1991, the Diocese of Alcalá was finally re-established. At this time, the building officially became a cathedral.

The Cathedral of Alcalá is special because it is one of only two churches in the world to be called "magistral." This means that all the priests (called canons) who serve there must have a special degree in theology.

Other Important Buildings

The city is also home to the Archbishops Palace. This is where Christopher Columbus and King Ferdinand planned his voyages. It is also the birthplace of Catherine of Aragon, who became the first wife of Henry VIII of England and Queen of England.

Alcalá's Corral of Comedies is a very old theater. It still hosts plays and you can take tours there.

Alcalá Today

The center of Alcalá de Henares still looks much like it did in medieval times. It has many winding, cobbled streets and historic buildings. The main area is around the Plaza de Cervantes, with a long pedestrian street called the Calle Mayor.

The city has distinct neighborhoods that were once the Moorish, Jewish, and Christian quarters. Because of these different areas, Alcalá is known as "the city of three cultures."

The old city center has been well preserved. One important street is the Calle del Cardenal Cisneros, which leads from the city entrance to the old center and the cathedral. The main park, Parque Municipal O'Donnell, is a popular spot for residents.

Recent archaeological digs have uncovered the city's Roman forum. This large complex includes a basilica, public baths, a market, and a grand facade. Nearby is the House of Hippolytus, an old school. The Regional Archaeology Museum (MAR) also has amazing Roman mosaics.

Many international students come to Alcalá to study at the university, especially for its Spanish language programs. Alcalingua, part of the university, is a major center for foreign students learning Spanish.

The Storks

Alcalá is famous for its white storks. You can see their large nests on top of many churches and historic buildings. These nests are a big tourist attraction. The city is a good home for these migratory storks because of the food and nesting materials available in the Henares River lowlands.

For over twenty years, Alcalá's storks have been counted and studied. The city actively protects and maintains their nests. The stork population has grown from only eleven pairs in the 1980s to about 90 resident pairs today. Many storks now stay in the city almost all year, shortening their usual migrations.

People from Other Countries

About 18% of the people in Alcalá de Henares are from other countries. A large number (30%) come from Eastern Europe. Many Chinese businesses have also opened in the city. Alcalá has the largest community of Romanian immigrants in Spain, with over 35,000 people.

Getting Around

The A-2 highway as it passes through the municipality

Alcalá has great transport links with Madrid, so many people live here and travel to work in the capital. You can take a train (Cercanias lines C2 and C7) to Madrid in about 35 minutes, or to Guadalajara in 25 minutes. There are also direct trains called CIVIS that make the trip to Madrid in just 20 minutes during busy times. Buses also connect Alcalá to Madrid, Guadalajara, and nearby towns.

By car, Alcalá de Henares is well connected to the main roads by the nearby A-2 highway. This highway goes from Madrid to Barcelona and on to France.

Alcalá also has its own bus system called "Alcalá-Bus," which goes to all the major neighborhoods.

Culture and Fun

Cervantes' City

Statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza outside Cervantes' birthplace

The city celebrates the birthday of its famous son, Miguel de Cervantes, every year on October 9. It also holds an annual Cervantes festival called the Semana Cervantina (Cervantine Week).

Every year on April 23, the anniversary of Cervantes' death, Alcalá hosts the Miguel de Cervantes Prize. This is the most important award for literature in the Spanish-speaking world. The King of Spain presents the award at the University of Alcalá. Important people, including the royal family and the prime minister, attend this ceremony. During the event, the citizens of Alcalá sing their city's song.

Alcalá de Henares is also a member of the Network of Cervantine Cities.

Festivals

Alcalá hosts an annual "Noche en Blanco" (White Night) festival. During this event, the streets are filled with music, art, theater, and dance. People celebrate Alcalá's rich culture late into the night. The main activities happen around the Plaza de Cervantes, where stages are set up for performances.

City Connections

Alcalá de Henares has twin town and sister city agreements with several cities around the world:

• Talence, France (1985)
• Peterborough, United Kingdom (1986)
• Guanajuato, Mexico (1990)
• San Diego, United States (1990)
• Fort Collins, United States (1995)
• Plaza de la Revolución [es], Cuba (1998)
• Lublin, Poland (2001)
• Alba Iulia, Romania (2005)
• Azul, Argentina (2011)

Saint Didacus, known as San Diego in Spanish, was born in Alcalá de Henares. The city of San Diego, United States, is named after him. Also, Alcalá de Henares is the birthplace of Catherine of Aragon. It is twinned with Peterborough in England, which is where she is buried.

Famous People from Alcalá

• Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616): A Spanish writer, considered one of the greatest writers in the Spanish language. His most famous work is Don Quixote.
• Juan Ruiz (1283–1350): Known as the Archpriest of Hita, he was a medieval Castilian poet famous for his poem, Libro de buen amor ("The Book of Good Love").
• Catherine of Aragon (1485–1536): Born in the Archbishop's palace in Alcalá, she was the first wife of King Henry VIII of England and Queen of England.
• Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor (1503–1564): He was the Holy Roman Emperor from 1558 and also King of Bohemia, Hungary, and Croatia.
• Manuel Azaña (1880–1940): He served as Prime Minister and President of the Second Spanish Republic.
• Pedro Obiang (born 1992): A professional footballer who plays for an Italian club.
• Roberto Sánchez (born 1989): A Spanish footballer.

See also

In Spanish: Alcalá de Henares para niños