Summer is here and that means travel, and for many that includes a trip to Europe. Spain is a popular vacation spot attracting over half a million tourists a year. I have traveled to Spain multiple times and visited over twenty cities within Spain.
The summer of 2010 is going to be all about Spain starting in alphabetical order with the cities I have visited. I hope to give some background of each place, along with a few travel tips, and of course photos. Enjoy! and please remember to visit my store site where you will find more photographs and fun facts about each location.
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Travel Tips for Alcalá de Henares.
Alcalá de Henares is just a short train ride from Madrid; see below for specific information about how to get there.
The city is mainly known for its university. The old Alcalá University has magnificent buildings and you can tour parts of them to see the magnificent courtyards, stairways, and architecture. The tour includes historical antidotes, many of which include hilarious old customs and student traditions.
The University was originally founded in 1496 by Cardinal Cisneros and named the Universidad Complutense. This University eventually moved to Madrid and the buildings in Alcalá became the Universidad de Alcalá de Henares in 1977. The University is highly regarded for it’s Spanish language and literature programs.
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Alcalá de Henares is also known as the birthplace of Cervantes and you can visit the original house today.
Other main sites include the main square, Cervantes Square that is a large open square that acts as a divider between the Medieval and University portions of the city.
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Another site that I think should not be missed is the Laredo Palace. This palace was built in 1882 for Manuel Jose de Laredo. The building has interesting architecture with geometrical patterns on the façade and decorative motifs in the rooms that are similar to the Alhambra along with paintings by Laredo himself.
Alcalá de Henares historical center is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. With cobbled streets, medieval buildings and historical sites, Alcalá de Henares is a pleasant and easy day trip.
***To see more photos of Alcalá de Henares visit The Monica Store.
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Links and Useful information about how to get to Alcalá de Henares:
1 – Alcalá de Henares can be reached by the Cercanías trains with several departures every hour from Atocha railway station.
2- For train times and fares visit the Renfe Cercanias Madrid site click here.
3 – For more information about the main sites and what to see visit a helpful tourist information website by clicking here.
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Interesting Facts:
1 – Spain has thirty-six cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites. For the complete list click here.
2 – Alcalá de Henares is often just referred to as “Alcalá” which comes from the Arabic word al-qal’a, which means fortification.
3 – Christopher Columbus had his first meeting with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella at the “Casa de la Entrevista” in Alcalá de Henares.
The Monica Store Blog 