ECC EUGLOH Cultural Corridor - Guided tour: Discover the History of the University of Alcalá and the Historic City Centre

Guided Tour of the University of Alcalá and the Historic City Centre

The tour begins at the entrance of the Rectorate Building and includes the most iconic sites of the University of Alcalá:

• Façade of the Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso: A Renaissance masterpiece by Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón, full of symbolic elements from the 16th century.
• Courtyard of Santo Tomás de Villanueva: A grand classical patio built in 1618, dedicated to the university’s first canonized student.
• Courtyard of the Philosophers: Originally built in the 1530s, it housed administrative offices and the old university jail.
• Trilingual Courtyard: A Renaissance cloister where Latin, Greek, and Hebrew were taught.
• Paraninfo (University Auditorium): The most emblematic hall, home to the Cervantes Prize ceremony, featuring a stunning 16th-century mudéjar ceiling

The tour then continues through the historic centre of Alcalá de Henares, visiting some its important landmarks:

• Cervantes Birthplace Museum: The restored home of the famous author Miguel de Cervantes.
• Corral de Comedias: One of the oldest preserved open-air theatres in Europe.
• Cathedral of Saints Justus and Pastor: A Gothic-Renaissance church with deep local significance.
• Plaza de Cervantes: The lively main square surrounded by arcades and historical buildings.

This visit offers a rich overview of the university’s heritage and the historic charm of Alcalá.

Meeting point: Colegio de San Ildefonso, Pl. de San Diego, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid

The activity is free of charge for local, visitor and international students of the University of Alcalá. 

EUGLOH Cultural Corridor (ECC) opportunities are exclusively targeted at participants already located at the hosting institution. Please note that travel and mobility-associated costs are not covered for these activities.