Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso - University of Alcalá

The Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso is an architectural and cultural landmark that transports us to the heart of the Spanish Renaissance. Founded in 1499 by Cardinal Cisneros as the nucleus of the University of Alcalá de Henares, this emblematic building has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Cardinal Cisneros' vision was to create a higher education centre that would rival the best European universities. Thanks to the papal bull of 1499, the foundation of the College was authorized and the foundations were laid for what would become one of the most prestigious educational institutions of its time.

The construction of the Colegio Mayor began at the beginning of the 16th century under the direction of Pedro Gumiel, who counted on the collaboration of prominent architects and craftsmen. The main façade, the work of Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón, is a magnificent example of the Plateresque style, with a rich sculptural decoration that reflects the influence of the Italian Renaissance.

The interior of the building houses such emblematic spaces as the Paranymph, where the most solemn academic events were held and where the Cervantes Prize is awarded today, and the main courtyard of Escuelas or Santo Tomás de Villanueva, designed by Juan Gómez de Mora, which is the most majestic of the Complutense cloisters. The Chapel of Saint Ildefonsus is another of the College's treasures, with its rich Mudejar plasterwork and its coffered ceilings, which offer us a sample of the religious art of the period. The remains of Francisco Vallés de Covarrubias and Elio Antonio de Nebrija rest there. It also has the magnificent sepulchral monument dedicated to Cardinal Cisneros, the work of Domenico Fancelli and Bartolomé Ordóñez.

The Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso is not only an architectural monument, but also a symbol of knowledge and culture. Its foundation marked a milestone in the history of education in Spain and its influence extends to the present day.