Alcala De Henares Sights and Landmarks Guide, Spain

The charming little city of Alcala de Henares, located at 30 km distance from Madrid, is best known for being the birth-place of the famous Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes. Alcala can boast of a very well preserved medieval city centre, full of beautiful buildings and lush gardens. Although it doesn’t attract as many tourists as Pamplona or Barcelona, it is a major tourist destination for both foreigners and Spanish visitors. Alcala combines a nostalgic historical atmosphere of the old town with the liveliness of its university, one of the first and most renowned universities in Spain. The city is always bustling with activity, and it is a perfect vacation spot for both tourist interested in historic sites and for those looking for entertainment. The city is This Alcala de Henares Sights Guide will briefly describe the main tourist attraction of the city so that you won’t have a hard time deciding what to visit.

Alcala de Henares Sights Guide - Architectural sights

Alcala’s sizeable city centre remains medieval even today. The narrow, cobbled streets are dotted with cafes and restaurants where you can stop for a cool glass of delicious wine and some tapas. The heart of the old city is Plaza de Cervantes, the largest square in the city, sporting a huge statue of Miguel de Cervantes. There are several gardens in the square, in addition to a wealth of stores tastefully incorporated into the medieval buildings. Calle Mayor, the most important street in the old quarter, and it leads directly to Plaza de Cervantes. There are numerous churches and chapels in the old part of the city that are worth a visit. This Alcala de Henares Sights Guide recommends that you visit the main building of the Colegio de San Ildefonso, the University, a beautiful 16th century building with a breath-taking ornate Plateresque front. Other interesting buildings include the Casa Natal de Cervantes, the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, a typical Castilian house with 17th century-style furniture and objects that once belonged to the famous writer.

Alcala de Henares Sights Guide - Churches and museums

While the only well known museum in Alcala is the Cervantes House Museums, there are many exhibitions hall, especially in former chapel buildings. There is an impressive number of convents and churches built in medieval times, with stunning interiors and sometimes even mini-displays of art. The Cathedral of Santos Justo and Pastor doesn’t look much like a church at a first sight. Its austere exterior is reminiscent of a fortress rather than a religious building. The cathedral houses the remains of San Diego de Alcala, and it also has a rather large collection of exquisite sculptures and religious art. Casa de la Entrevista, Capilla del Oidor are two examples of chapels-turned-exhibition halls. There are a few other obscure but nonetheless enjoyable museums in the city, such as the Archaeological Museum and the Open Air Sculpture Museum.

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