Monuments in Madrid, Spain: Universidad de Alcala de Henares. Cultural tourism in Madrid, Spain.

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Architecture and monuments / Renaissance / Alcalá de Henares

University of Alcalá de Henares, or College of San Ildefonso

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Façade. University of Alcalá de Henares or San Ildefonso College. Madrid © Turespaña

The birthplace of Cervantes.

This monument, together with the historic quarter of Alcalá de Henares, has been declared a World Heritage site by the UNESCO. It was created by Cardinal Cisneros and given the name of the college of San Ildefonso. The doorway is a fine example of the rich ornamentation of the purest Spanish Renaissance style. This, along with Salamanca, was the birthplace of Humanism.

Its construction began in the 15th century and was completed by Pedro Gumiel in the 16th. Only the assembly hall remains from the original building, with coffering and a Plateresque tribune. The façade is the most important part of the building. It was built by Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón in the Plateresque style, and originally designed as an altarpiece divided by pilasters and columns. It has various courtyards in different styles, one of which is unfinished. The assembly room is one of the finest examples of the Cisneros style, combining Mudejar features in plaster and wood with Plateresque decoration.