What to Do in Alcal谩 de Henares: the City of Cervantes, Alcala de Henares, Spain
The Spain of my pre-Sevilla had one leading protagonist (perhaps loverboy?) :聽Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. Spain鈥檚 most famous author is best known for his chronicle of Spanish knighthood, Don Quijote, Man of La Mancha, and he penned the book while living in聽Valladolid聽over 400 years ago.
If you鈥檝e ever studied Spanish, you鈥檝e likely been force-fed the adventures of a wayward knight whose fantasies took over his perceptions of daily life. These days, my fantasies have been about getting out and exploring my new city and its surrondings.
So it seemed only fitting to make our first day trip from Madrid to Alcal谩 de Henares, the city in which Cervantes was born and to which his name is commonly associated to pay an early homage to his聽and contributions to the Spanish language and its literature. I鈥檇 visited Alcal谩 on a biting cold April afternoon in 2013; this time, the Novio and I chose a clear day in mid-July to escape the heat in La Capi.
My sense of direction is far sharper than my common sense, so聽my feet led us right into the historic center and to the Plaza de Cervantes. Ringed with benches and Spanish聽abuelos(Do I need to tell you that I fell in love with the city immediately?), it sidles up to the university, historic city and Calle Mayor, and is crowned by the former Santa Mar铆a la Mayor church. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
If you鈥檝e ever studied Spanish, you鈥檝e likely been force-fed the adventures of a wayward knight whose fantasies took over his perceptions of daily life. These days, my fantasies have been about getting out and exploring my new city and its surrondings.
So it seemed only fitting to make our first day trip from Madrid to Alcal谩 de Henares, the city in which Cervantes was born and to which his name is commonly associated to pay an early homage to his聽and contributions to the Spanish language and its literature. I鈥檇 visited Alcal谩 on a biting cold April afternoon in 2013; this time, the Novio and I chose a clear day in mid-July to escape the heat in La Capi.
My sense of direction is far sharper than my common sense, so聽my feet led us right into the historic center and to the Plaza de Cervantes. Ringed with benches and Spanish聽abuelos(Do I need to tell you that I fell in love with the city immediately?), it sidles up to the university, historic city and Calle Mayor, and is crowned by the former Santa Mar铆a la Mayor church. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
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Guide Name: What to Do in Alcal谩 de Henares: the City of Cervantes
Guide Location: Spain » Alcala de Henares
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Article (B))
Author: Catherine Gaa
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Spain » Alcala de Henares
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Article (B))
Author: Catherine Gaa
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Plaza de Cervantes
- Santa Mar铆a la Mayor church
- Universidad de Alcal谩
- Bar 脥ndalo
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