Saturday, 13.02.2010

Knowing Alcalá de Henares means knowing the history of Spain. Alcalá starts out as a Celtic settlement, became a Roman village, was taken over by the Arabes and then returned to Christian rulership with Alfonse VI. "El siglo de oro" the Golden age, was another name for the 12th century where Spain politically triumphed with its colonies, but also its art flourished. All in all three rulers of different countries were born in the city: Manuel Azaña, a Spanish politician and writer, Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII of England and Ferdinand I who was the Holy Roman Emperor.

Then we visited the magistral cathedral where only former profesors of the university were allowed to work as priests and we ended our tour at the Plaza Cervantes. The beautiful former marketplace is encircled by universtity buildings. On their roof tops we could spot many pairs of storks that reminded us of our hometown.

is the 2nd oldest (after Salamanca). It was built at the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th century. It was founded by Cardinal Cisneros who wished to be buried there in a modest grave. Today his body remains in the Cathedral, while his expensive Italian marble grave is situated in the university. Back then getting a PhD meant having studied everything that was known to humankind at that time. During the exams the students stood between two teachers : one who could help slightly and the other, who was a strict devil's advocate. The rich and the poor students had separated yards. Since there were no scholarships, the poorer ones had to finance their studies by doing peculiar jobs (like warming up chairs for rich students). A few women dressed up as males in order to be able to study.

One yard of the buildings remains locked, because it is reserved for the King Juan Carlos and the awards of Cervantes (taking place every year on 23th of April)

After the exkursion to Alcalá we had time to party!