Alcalá de Henares

Alcalá de Henares is one of the largest and most significant cities in Madrid. It is located in the natural regions of La Alcarria and La Campiña. It is an area where the Henares, Camarmilla, and Torote rivers converge.

Throughout the municipality of Alcalá de Henares, various remains have been found indicating it was populated during Prehistoric times. In the Roman era, Complutum would be born, a settlement of which visitable remains still exist today, such as the House of Hippolytus. With the arrival of the Muslims, the city became a strategic border control point, where a castle was built, of which some remains still exist. This is the well-known Castle of Alcalá la Vieja. In 1118, the area fell under Christian rule.

From the 15th century, the city began to grow significantly. It is here where the meeting between Christopher Columbus and Isabella I took place before Columbus's departure to America. In 1499, the University of Alcalá de Henares was founded at the initiative of Cardinal Cisneros. As a result, what we now know as the Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso de Alcalá de Henares was built. From this period also date monuments such as the Holy and Noble Cathedral of Saints Justo and Pastor or the Hermitage of San Isidro.

Today the city is a blend of diverse leisure spots, gastronomic wealth, and places of heritage interest as already mentioned. Its proximity to the capital Madrid and its green areas near the rivers make it a highly interesting town to visit.