University of Alcalá 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. It also served as a model for universities in Europe and elsewhere.

Title University of Alcalá de Henares
Artist(s) Architects of the Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso: Pedro de Gumiel (main structure) and Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón (façade)
Dates 1499–1520, with later additions
Places Europe / Southern Europe / Spain
Period, Culture, Style Renaissance / Spanish and Portuguese Renaissance
Artwork Type Architecture
Material Stone
Technique

Cite this page as: UNESCO, "University of Alcalá de Henares," in Smarthistory, May 27, 2021, accessed May 23, 2025, https://smarthistory.org/university-of-alcala-de-henares/.