Alcalá de Henares

Alcalá de Henares is a 193,751 inhabitants city by Henares river in the eastern part of the Community of Madrid. It's the 3rd largest city in the region, one of the first bishoprics in Spain and it has rich archeological points, proof of its rich and long history since Roman times. Alcalá de Henares was home of one the oldest universities in Spain, Universidad Complutense, till it moved to Madrid in the 19th century (nowadays it has its own university too). It was placed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1998.

How do I arrive to Alcalá de Henares?

  Alcalá de Henares is very well connected with Madrid in many ways. 

• Train: there are trains each 5-10 minutes to Alcalá de Henares (aprox. 45 minutes), in line C2 and C7, from Atocha Railway Station for 2.60€ (one way) in Madrid. There are also Media Distancia trains stopping in Alcalá de Henares in their way to Madrid like Soria (aprox. 2.5 hours) or Zaragoza (aprox. 4 hours) ones, this latter via Guadalajara (aprox. 20 minutes).
• Bus: there are buses each 2 hours to Madrid (aprox. 40 minutes) from Alcalá de Henares Bus Station reaching Avenida de América Bus Station. There are also buses to Soria (aprox. 3 hours) and to Zaragoza (aprox. 3 hours 30 minutes) via Guadalajara (aprox. 20 minutes). 
• Car: if you rented a car, it's 25 minutes from Nuevo Baztán, 30 minutes journey from Guadalajara, 45 minutes journey from Madrid, 40 minutes from Toledo and 50 minutes from Aranjuez.

History

The current city of Alcalá de Henares was born as Complutum, a Roman town founded around the 1st century AD. In the 4th century, under the Diocletianic Persecution, Justus and Pastor martyrdom took place (the place started being worshiped by Christians and gave birth in the future to St. Justus and St. Pastor Church). With the Muslim invation they founded on the other side of the river the fortress that gives name to the city. In the year 1118 it was conquered by archbishop Bernard of Sédirac and given to the Archdiocese of Toledo. In 1345 and 1348 it was the place were the Castilian Court met. Cardinal Cisneros leaded the foundation of Alcalá University in 1499 (moved in the 19th century to Madrid and called Complutense University). Here was born Miguel de Cervantes in the 16th century and from the War of the Spanish Succession onwards it started losing importance. During the Spanish Civil War it was faithful to the Spanish Republic. Its Old Town and the University building were placed in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1998.
 

What can I visit in Alcalá de Henares?

Alcalá is an interesting city with a lot of history and has many things to do here. Most of the sightseeing points are around Plaza de Cervantes and the beautiful Calle Mayor.

These are Alcalá de Henares' main attractions:

• University of Alcalá (only available with guided tour; 6€/ 4€  adults/ reduced): 16th century collegiate building built for Cardinal Cisneros. Its façadade was done by Gil de Hontañón, architect of Segovia or Salamanca cathedrals and it has beautiful courtyards. Its auditorium (Paraninfo) is the place where the Miguel de Cervantes Prize (one of the most prestigious awards in Spanish literature) is given. The building also has St. Ildefonso Chapel (12:30-17:30; 2.50€), the oldest part of the University of Alcalá and the place where there's Cardinal Cisneros' mausoleum.
• Oidor Chapel (10-14 and 16-19 Tue-Sat; 10-15 Sun; free): former chapel of St. Mary Church, a 16th century church which was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. Nowadays it's an expositions center and has baptismal font where Cervantes was baptised. Nearby can be found  St. María Church Tower (11-14 Thu-Sat; 16-19 Sun; free) with great views of the center of Alcalá de Henares. There's a combined ticket for St. Mary Tower, the Roman town of Complutum and Hippolytus House for 2€.
• Corral de Comedias in Alcalá (only available with guided tour; 3€): this building is the oldest corral de comedias in Spain, dating back to the 17th century. It has been remodeled several times and it's still on use.
• Latin American Art Museum of the Univeristy of Alcalá (10-14 and 16-20 Tue-Sat; 12-15 Sun; free): museum with works of arts from 1950s to the 21st century in Latin America which were bought by Luis González Robles.
• Cervantes Birthplace Museum (10-18 Tue-Fri; 10-19 Sat-Sun; free): reconstruction of the house where Miguel de Cervantes is said to be born. The house was rebuilt, decorated with 16th-17th century styles and has many biographic information about Cervante's childhood. The museum also has a wide collection of Don Quixote in many languages and from different ages.
• Sts. Justo y Pastor Cathedral (10-13:30 and 16-18:45 Mon-Sat; 17-18:45 Sun; 1€): 16th century Isabelline Gothic cathedral in Cardinal Cisneros times. It was the only church together with St. Peter's Church in Leuven where all its priests had to be doctors in theology; here it's buried Cardinal Cisneros. The cathedral also has a tower (2€) where going up and enjoying the views.
• Archbishop Palace of Alcalá de Henares (only available with guided tour): palace placed in a former Mudejar fortress which was used by the archbishops of Toledo when they visited the city of Alcalá de Henares. It has also had many other uses like General Archive, Court of Audits and now it's Alcalá de Henares diocese base. In the palace was born Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII.
• Regional Archeological Museum of Madrid (11-19 Tue-Sat; 11-15 Sun; free): museum with the most important collection of archeological discoveries in the region of Madrid. Among the most important ones there are mosaics found in Complutum, medieval pottery or expositions about archeology. It also has temporary expositions.
• Old Hospital of St. Maria la Rica (11-14 and 18-21 Tue-Sat; 11-14 Sun; free):13th or 14th century hospital which is used for temporary expositions. It's also the culture councillorship headquarters.
• Laredo Palace (10-13:30 and 16-18:30; 1€): 19th century Neo-Gothic and Mudejar palace built by a former mayor of Alcalá. Currently it's used as library of Alcalá University and Cisneros Museum.
• Alcalá Open-Air Sculpture Museum: more than 50 statues collection with different artists from Spain, Europe and the whole world and also different styles.
• Outside the center of Alcalá de Henares there's the Roman town of Complutum (10-14 and 17-20 Tue-Sun from Apr to Sep; 10-14 and 16-18 Tue-Sun from Oct to Mar; 1€). This settlement was already inhabited by Carpetani before Roman times but its development occured under Rome, being an important city in the way between Caesaragusta (Zaragoza) and Emerita Augusta (Mérida); its decline started with the Visogoths and Complutum was abandoned. One of the most important buildings are Hippolytus House and House of the Griffins.

Façade of Alcalá University

Cervantes Birthplace Museum

Añadir leyenda

Only 25 km in the south of Alcalá, there's the municipality of Nuevo Baztán, a 6,154 inhabitants town, home of the workers of a glass factory settled by Juan de Goyeneche (an important treasurer of the Spanish Monarchy). The town was founded in the 18th century, named after Juan de Goyeneche's birth place in Navarre, Baztan Valley and built by the famous Spanish architect José de Churriguera. The most important building is Goyeneche Palace and Church (only available with guided tour; 3€), 18th century Baroque palace and a church by the architect José de Churriguera which can be used as an art gallery (with Thyssen-Bornemisza paitinngs) in the long term. The town as a whole was used as model village to accomodate industrial and agricultural projects.

Where can I eat in Alcalá de Henares?

Alcalá has some very nice places to eat such as Barataria (Calle de los Cerrajeros 18) or Parador de Alcalá de Henares' Parador restaurant (Calle de Colegios 3).

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Posted in: Europe,Madrid region,Spain

Aranjuez

Aranjuez  is a 59,037 inhabitants town on the confluence of Tagus and Jarama rivers, southernmost town in Madrid region, in Spain. Aranjuez is places in the Royal Sites because it was always been very linked to the Spanish monarchy since the construction of the palace, being an inspiration for artists like the guitar concerto Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo. It was placed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001.

How do I arrive to Aranjuez?

  Aranjuez is very well connected both with Madrid and its metropolitan area and with some important cities in the south or east of Spain. 

• Train: there are trains each 10-20 minutes to Aranjuez (aprox. 1 hour), in line C3, from Chamartín Railway Station for 4.05€ (one way) in Madrid. Aranjuez is an important railway connecting point so there are also daily Media Distancia trains to Jaén (aprox. 3 hours 15 minutes) and also to Valencia (aprox. 5 hours 30 minutes) via Cuenca (aprox. 2 hours) and via Albacete (aprox. 2 minutes).
• Bus: there are buses each 2 hours to Madrid (aprox. 1 hour) from Aranjuez Bus Station for 4.20€ (one way), reaching Méndez Álvaro Bus Station. There are also many buses to Toledo (aprox. 45 minutes) and buses to Chinchón (aprox. 50 minutes). 
• Car: if you rented a car, it's 20 minutes from Colmenar de Oreja, 30 minutes journey from Chinchón, 40 minutes from Toledo, 50 minutes from Alcalá de Henares and 1 hour from Madrid.

History

In the year 220 BC took place in the area the Battle of Tagus River between the armies of Ancient Carthage (leaded by Hannibal) and Carpetani one. The first human settlement in what's now Aranjuez was a Muslim village conquered by Alfonso VI for Castile kingdom and definitively by Alfonso VII, giving it to the Order of Santiago. Its grand master Lorenzo Suárez de Figueroa built a big house as a residence of the Order, which was used as base of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez (since Catholic Monarchs times). It became royal property when Pope Adrian VI named Charles I of Spain grand master of the Order of Santiago. His son Philip II ordered the construction of the Royal Palace. During the reign of Ferdinand VI the town of Aranjuez was born (18th century). Here was sign the traty of Aranjuez (1779) which meant the Spanish entrance in the American War of Independence. In March 1808 took place the Mutiny of Aranjuez, which made Charles IV abdicate and the accession of Ferdinand VII to the royal throne, previous to the French occupation of Spain. Aranjuez was first included in Toledo province and then in Madrid one in the period of 19th century administrative reform. The 2nd railway connection in Spain was Madrid-Aranjuez in 1851 and since then it became an important railway network. The first protection of the cultural and artistic heritage of Aranjuez dates back to the Spanish Second Republic (1931).
 

What can I visit in Aranjuez?

Aranjuez is an interesting town and has many things to do here, but fortunatelly almost all of them are close to the main and central square, Plaza de Parejas.

These are Aranjuez's main attractions:

• Royal Palace of Aranjuez (10-20 Tue-Sun from Apr to Mar; 10-18 Tue-Sun from Oct to Mar; 9€/ 4€/ free  adults/ retiree, students and kids till 5/ kids under 5): this 16th century palace was the summer residence of the Spanish monarchy since Ferdinand VI of Spain. It was ordered by Philip II of Spain to the Renaissance architect Juan Bautista de Toledo and was popular among the kings for its closeness to hunting reserves. The most spectacular rooms are the Throne Room, the Porcelain Room, the Chinese Room and the Morish Room. It's free of charge on Wed and Thu afternoons for EU citizens and people from Central and South America.
• Parterre Garden: 18th century garden built in Philip V of Spain times by the designer Esteban Boutelou I, with many flowers and fountaines (Hercules and Antaeus Fountain, Ceres Fountain and Nereids Fountain). It also have a garden of statues with busts of Roman emperors.
• Island's Garden: garden surrounded by Tagus river and an artificial river which has countless fountains and a vegetable garden that was formerly used to provide vegetables to the Royal Palace. 
• Prince's Garden: 18th century English-style garden which is the largest in Aranjuez built under Charles IV reign. The gates were designed by Juan de Villanueva and has beautiful fountaines like Narcissus Fountain, Fountain of the Swan and Apollo Fountain, or the nice pond Estanque de los Chinescos. Inside it it can also be found the Neoclassical palace Casa del Labrador (included in the Royal Palace entrance), small palace used by the Spanish Royal family to spend the day. It was also designed by Juan de Villanueva for the king Charles IV.
• Museum of Royal Feluccas (10-20 Tue-Sun from Apr to Mar; 10-18 Tue-Sun from Oct to Mar; included in the Royal Palace entrance): museum with the most spectacular sports boats for the Spanish monarchy, particularly from Cherles IV and Ferdinard VII times.
• There are other palaces that nowadays are used like houses such as Casa de los Infantes (18th century Barroque palace for Charles III's kids) or Medinaceli Palace (18th century palace built by the Duke of Medinaceli).
• St. Antonio de Padua Church: 17th century Barroque church designed by Santiago Bonavía in Ferdinard VI of Spain times, extended during Charles III of Spain reign.
• St. Pascual Royal Convent: 18th century Neoclassic convent which belonged to the Order of the Franciscans designed by Francesco Sabatini.
• Nuestra Señora de las Angustias Church: 17th century church constructed under the architect Cristóbal Rodríguez de Jarama in stark Barroque style.
• Aranjuez Bullring: 18th century bullring, one of the oldest and largest in use in Spain. It has the Bull-fighting Museum (booking on advance), museum which allows you to see the inner part of the bullring and objects and posters.
• Aranjuez railway station: 20th century Neo-Mudéjar style designed by Ignacio Clavería in the 1920s to replace a previous building. The 2nd railway connection in Spain was Madrid-Aranjuez in 1851.
• St. Isidro Royal Chapel: 18th century church located in the area Real Cortijo de San Isidro, 5 km from Aranjuez.
• Outside Aranjuez there's an artificial salty lake from the 15th century called Ontígola Sea. It has endemic birds and butterflies.

Aranjuez railway station

Royal Palace of Aranjuez

Plaza Mayor (Main Square)

In the north of Aranjuez, going 30 km north, can be found Chinchón, a 5,239 inhabitants town, home of the former Count of Chinchón, and with a beautiful old town. The most attracting poing of Chinchón is its Plaza Mayor, a 15th century square which has been also used as corral de comedias or bullring. It has some interesting to do like visiting the Parador of Chinchón, hotel located in a 18th century Agustinians' monastery; Asunción de María Church, 16th-17th century church with mixture of styles and a painting by Goya, The Assumption of Mary; Convento de las Clarisas, 16th century Barroque monastery with stark architecture and founded by the Counts of Chinchón and the temples of St. Antonio Romanesque Chapel (18th century chapel rebuilt where there used to be a 11th century Romanesque chapel), St. Roque Chapel, Virgen de la Merced Chapel and Nuestra Señora del Rosario Chapel (10-18 Mon-Sat and 10-16 Sun; ), both in Baroque-style from the 17th century. On the outskirts of Chinchón Counts' Castle is located, a Renaissance-style palace abandoned since the 18th century. The main touristic points are open to public visit the first weekend of the month (but in summer) with a timetable of 16-18 Sat and 12-14 Sun. Only 5 km south there's the town of Colmenar de Oreja, home of 7,810 people, and with another impressing Plaza Mayor.

Where can I eat in Aranjuez?

The town of Chinchón has its own spirit, called chinchón too, which belongs to the anisette family and pastries like tetas de novicia and pelotas de fraile. Aranjuez have many interesting restaurants that adapt every budget where trying local Spanish food.

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Posted in: Europe,Madrid region,Spain