Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain

Plaza de Cervantes

It was a scorching, intestinal-baking weekend and not really a fan of white tripe we needed to get away! Somewhere, anywhere, but quickly before our squishy insides got squishier.

The small 17th century UNESCO heritage city of Alcalá de Henares, quietly placed on the outskirts of the community of Madrid, is a great day trip option and it was the opportunity that had the potential to save us. Most famous for being the birth place of Miguel de Cervantes, Spain's most famed writer, this little town which basked in the light of Spain's golden age was actually first settled long before the Romans invaded the Iberian peninsula; records indicate somewhere around the Bronze Age. Also noteworthy, is that it boosts one of the oldest university campuses in Spain (Universidad de Alcalá) founded in the 15th century by Cardenal Cisneros at the time of the Renaissance.

Plaza de Cervantes
City Hall 

Universidad de Alcalá
Colegio de Trinitarios

But, on Saturday it was hot. Hot, Hot, Hot. Unfortunately John needed to focus on his study this weekend so I ventured off by myself. The cercanias train line, leaving from the station close to our house, is only a short walk away but I struggled in the morning heat. Getting tickets and finding the train wasn't much trouble and I arrived in Alcalá de Henares within 40minutes.

Don Quixote and Sancho Panza! 

I was a little disillusioned after getting off the train and didn't really know which way to go, everything was brick; orange brick houses lined the streets reflecting the hot sun back towards the road.

Particularly surprising was how the city has maintained its medieval feel with winding cobbled streets and historic facades. I was also quite famished so my first stop was at a local bar to try an advertised super large tapa. I ordered a tinto de verano (wine and juice) and got a choice from a large selection of free tapas. I went with a free chicken hamburger! It was a little dry and bready but gave me enough get-up-and-go to begin my exploring of the small city.

Universidad de Alcalá

Well it was unpleasantly warm, my initial plan was to do a bit of looking around before sitting in the shade of the beautiful Cervantes Plaza reading my book. But, it was unbelievably hot that even under the trees I was cooking. So I marched around the shaded side of the streets for another half an hour taking in the old University buildings that spreads across the old city. The most fascinating aspect in my opinion was the massive white stalks flying in the sky!
The first time I saw one it took me by surprise, what huge birds!

Colegio menor de san Mari

There were so many of them happily feeding their young across many of the rooftops of the old cathedrals. I later read that they are protected and that it's the local environment, down within a small valley along the Rio Henares and between the mountains, that provides a rich source of food and building materials for them.

A bit restless from the dry heat I took shelter with my book in another several bars down the well-worn tapa route (moving around selectively). I just plopped down at a table and quietly munched through the several tapas. The day was in all very relaxing and I didn't put too many expectations on myself to go and do 'everything'. In the end the sun got the best of me and when I really did feel my insides melting I jumped back on the air conditioned train for Madrid.


Tot siens,
John and Kara

A tinto de verano (con limon) and tapa 

Enjoying the sunshine down Calle Mayor