Heading towards the center of the city of Alcalá de Henares via the “Paseo de la Estación”, we observe a building that definitely does not go unnoticed; it is the Laredo Palace. Continue reading “Laredo Palace – Alcalá de Henares, Madrid”
Category: “Alcala de Henares”
Parish of Saint Mary the Great, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
On Libreros Street in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain, is located the parish of Santa María La Mayor, which was adapted from the old chapel of the Colegio Máximo de la Compañía de Jesús. It was converted into the new parish of Santa María la Mayor, after the expulsion of the Jesuits and the fire of 1936 of the old Church of Santa María, in the Plaza Cervantes. The church is annexed to the Chapel of the Holy Forms, open day and night for Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. Continue reading “Parish of Saint Mary the Great, Alcalá de Henares, Spain”
Cervantes Birthplace Museum – Alcalá de Henares
Sitting and talking, Quixote de la Mancha and Sancho were waiting for us in front of the Museo Casa Natal de Cervantes at Calle Mayor 48. Who better than them to welcome us. Continue reading “Cervantes Birthplace Museum – Alcalá de Henares”
The University of Alcalá de Henares
The history of the University of Alcalá de Henares dates back to its foundation in 1499. In 1501 Cardinal Cisneros laid the first stone and founded the “Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso de Alcalá de Henares”; the origin of the University of Alcalá de Henares. Cardinal Cisneros’ mission was to convert the “Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso” into a great center of academic excellence during the 16th and 17th centuries. In this manner, the reforming purposes of the Cardinal were achieved, improving the education of clergymen and churchmen of the time and turning it into the first Renaissance, humanist and universal university. Continue reading “The University of Alcalá de Henares”
The “San Bernardo Monastery” in “Alcalá de Henares”
The monumental facade of the Monastery of San Bernardo, was the first thing that caught our attention of this structure. Although it is very simple, of the “curtain” type, the contrast of the reddish tones of the brick, with the white stone that divides the three symbolic spaces of the temple, make it look very beautiful. Observing carefully this façade, we notice that the lower space is the most sober, which is the one used by the faithful; the middle body is dedicated to the archiepiscopal dignity, that is why there are the founder’s shields and a niche with the image of San Bernardo; and the upper one, topped by a triangular pediment, which corresponds to the heavenly area. Continue reading “The “San Bernardo Monastery” in “Alcalá de Henares””