Alcala de Henares and Cervantes Guided Tour from Madrid

based on 76 reviews

Duration:5 hours (approx.)
Location: Madrid, Spain

From $51.48

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This tour will take you to several places in Alcala de Henares related to the life and work of Miguel de Cervantes , the house where he was born in 1547, now a museum (Museo Casa Natal Miguel de Cervantes), the church where he was baptized on October 9th 1547. Sites related with his family and those associated with the publishing of his works. A route that takes us to the heart of the Golden Age of the spanish literature.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Plaza de Cervantes
This square has had several denominations throughout its history. Initially it was the "Market Square", then the "Constitution Square" and, since 1879, it is the "Plaza de Cervantes" in memory of his favorite son Miguel de Cervantes. However, popularly it is also called "main square", as it is the main and largest of Alcala de Henares.
2. Colegio de San Ildefonso
The set of the Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso and Rector of the University of Alcalá was established as center of the university structure designed by Cardinal Cisneros from 1499. Its facade was built from 1537 by Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón, architect of cathedrals of Salamanca and Segovia, was finished in 1553 rigger being the same Pedro de la Cotera. In its elegant decor they worked the most qualified of the time and forged their teachers bars admirable Cathedral of Toledo Francisco de Villalpando and Ruiz Diaz of the Corral carvers. Retains the Patio de Santo Tomas de Villanueva, the Philosopher and the trilingual. The Auditorium and the University Chapel are the only two buildings of the College built in the days of its founder. Escolástico the auditorium or theater, Located in the western bay of the Trilingual Patio, it was destined to the imposition of degrees and where solemn academic events took place.
3. Calle Mayor
It owes its origin to the old Jewish aljama of the city, around the twelfth century, which was built along the path of the Caesar Augusta Roman road that passed through Complutum. As today, it was the commercial street of Alcalá par excellence during the Middle Ages, so it was supported almost entirely, to place the stores at street level, while the houses were on the upper floor (with a gallery that communicated to the inhabitants of the different homes without having to descend to the public thoroughfare).
4. Museo Casa Natal de Cervantes
Miguel de Cervantes’ place of birth has long been debated and questioned, and it wasn’t until 1948 that Luis Astrana Marín, author of The Heroic and Exemplary Life of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, proclaimed this very building as such. The property is situated in the historic old city of Alcalá de Henares, next to the ‘Hospital de Antezana’, where the writer’s father, Rodrigo de Cervantes, worked. As a result of this discovery, the Alcalá de Henares City Council bought the property in 1954 to establish a Cervantes museum. The current Museum, inaugurated in 1956 as the ‘Cervantes Museum and Library’, is a product of the reconstruction work done to the original property. The reconstruction involved the creation of a garden and a new entranceway at number 48 Calle Mayor. It had previously been located at number 2 Calle Imagen. By way of Royal Decree 680/1985 of April 19 the Casa Natal de Cervantes was given over to the Community of Madrid.
5. Catedral de Alcala de Henares
Cathedral Magistral of Saints Justo and Pastor, stands as throughout the Middle Ages was the center of the town. With a concentric circle structure, this place departed the various streets leading to the gates of the walled enclosure. In addition to its status as a religious center, it was to turn the political and social center of Alcala. in the Plaza de Abajo and Picota the council houses were located. Its origin dates back to the martyrdom of Justo and Pastor, happened in this place at the beginning of the fourth century, as the cathedral stands on the site where according to tradition were beheaded and buried martyrs Justo and Pastor. On earlier buildings, from 1497 it begins to build in Gothic style, the current building by decision of Cardinal Cisneros, entrusting the work to Anton and Enrique Egas brothers, aided by complutense Pedro Gumiel. The Church has dignity reinstating Cathedral of the Diocese Complutense in 1991.

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CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : Wendy_M
A wonderful visit to Alcalá de Henares - the university and city center were lovely, and the Cervantes House Museum was interesting. The guides were super friendly and knowledgeable! A bonus highlight was experiencing the Mercado Cervantino, a yearly medieval festival. Highly recommend - perfect for a day trip!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-13 04:22:07

Posted By : VirginiaLuzg
We did the visit with David, an excellent guide.
I recommend the visit.
As a suggestion, maybe it could last 1 hour longer.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-08 11:08:00

Posted By : erikaX8770CJ
Incredible experience!!
A very well prepared and friendly guide, the arrival time was indicated.
Recommendable!
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Posted On : 2023-10-07 07:34:36

Posted By : Fovlegam
The places we visited are memorable. We enjoyed it very much.
We made this visit focused on Miguel de Cervantes, and we found much more.
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Posted On : 2023-09-24 07:37:51

Posted By : marianarM1228GC
Very good guide, with very historical information about the city and important places.
All very well! Recommended !
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Posted On : 2023-09-24 07:34:47

Posted By : 404h_ctorj
Excellent visit thanks to the guide, David. Enjoyable and very interesting. We found Alcalá de Henares to be a very beautiful city.
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Posted On : 2023-08-06 07:40:00

Posted By : Paula_H
Positive- It is a beautiful place with a lot to see. We did see everything we wanted to see.
Negative- 1) We had to walk from the stop near Plaza Mayor to the stop near the Gran Via. 2) The bus was a half hour late picking us up on the Gran Via. 3) The guide only spoke Spanish and talked fast. We were told this ahead of time so this was not a critical thing. I think he probably did a great job for those who were native Spanish speakers. 4) The guide walked and talked fast so we had little time for pictures. He was always looking at this watch. 5) We got dropped off on the Gran Via and had difficulty finding out way back to our hotel.
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Posted On : 2023-05-10 05:45:38

Posted By : pukalska
This tour was fantastic! Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the area and the literary, historical, and etymological significance of everything we saw. The town of Alcala de Henares was beautiful and had fun shops and delicious restaurants. Highly recommend this tour for lovers of Cervantes!
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Posted On : 2022-10-03 10:04:28

Posted By : no1smilecreator
5 star
Local guide David was extremely knowledgeable
And time well spent to visit the birth place of Miguel de Cervantes author Don Quijote, the second most read book after the Bible
Highly recommend the visit if you have an extra half day in Madrid
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2022-07-12 07:45:25

Posted By : Marianela516
David was a knowledgeable guide who took us through centuries of history in Alcala de Henares. Totally recommend this experience.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2022-01-20 07:45:56