What is Alcala de Henares known for?
Alcalá is perhaps best known for its famous son, Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes who wrote Don Quixote, one of world literature’s most important and enduring novels. You can discover the early life of one of the world’s most famous writers in the house where he grew up, which is now a museum.
How old is Alcala de Henares?
Founded by Cardinal Jiménez de Cisneros in the early 16th century, Alcalá de Henares was the world’s first planned university city. It was the original model for the Civitas Dei (City of God), the ideal urban community which Spanish missionaries brought to the Americas.
What happens each year in the town of Alcalá de Henares?
Every year on 23 April, the anniversary of Cervantes’ death, the city of Alcalá hosts the Miguel de Cervantes Prize, the Spanish-speaking world’s most prestigious award for lifetime achievement in literature. The award is presented by the king of Spain at the University of Alcalá’s historic Colegio de San Ildefonso.
What region is Alcala de Henares in?
Alcalá de Henares, city, Madrid provincia (province) and comunidad autónoma (autonomous community), central Spain. Known under the Romans as Complutum, the city was destroyed in ad 1000 and rebuilt in 1038 by the Moors, who called it Al-Qalʿah al-Nahr.
What does Alcala mean?
Alcalá (Spanish), Alcalà (Catalan), Alcala and the derivative Arcala are all ultimately derived (typically through placenames) from the Arabic word al-qalʿah (القلعة), meaning “the citadel” or “fortification”.
When was Miguel Cervantes born?
September 29, 1547Miguel de Cervantes / Date of birth
Miguel de Cervantes, in full Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, (born September 29?, 1547, Alcalá de Henares, Spain—died April 22, 1616, Madrid), Spanish novelist, playwright, and poet, the creator of Don Quixote (1605, 1615) and the most important and celebrated figure in Spanish literature.
Is Alcalá de Henares worth visiting?
Europe is full of stunning churches, and to the untrained eye, many may start to look the same after a while. However, the Magisterial Cathedral in Alcalá de Henares absolutely merits a visit, both for its historic value and its unrivaled beauty.
What ethnicity is Alcala?
Alcalá or Alcala is a Spanish surname. Alcalá (Spanish), Alcalà (Catalan), Alcala and the derivative Arcala are all ultimately derived (typically through placenames) from the Arabic word al-qalʿah (القلعة), meaning “the citadel” or “fortification”.
Where did the name Alcala came from?
Spanish (Alcalá): habitational name from any of the numerous fortified villages named during the Moorish occupation of Spain with Arabic al ‘the’ + qal? ah ‘fortress’.
Where did Cervantes go to school?
University of SalamancaMiguel de Cervantes / Education
What does the word Cervantes mean?
Definitions of Cervantes. Spanish writer best remembered for `Don Quixote’ which satirizes chivalry and influenced the development of the novel form (1547-1616) synonyms: Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de Cervantes, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. example of: dramatist, playwright. someone who writes plays.