Casco Histórico de Alcalá de Henares
The Casco Historico is a historic quarter featuring narrow lanes, wider streets with covered walkways, and several squares that define its character. Buildings range from medieval to Baroque times, with preserved facades, churches, convents, and civic structures; Plaza de Cervantes serves as the main focal point with its bronze statue and 1898 music pavilion.
The quarter developed as a university town from the 15th century, with colleges and schools that later underwent religious and civic transformations. The core displays changes from medieval times through the Renaissance to the Baroque period, marked by the conversion of mosques and synagogues into Christian churches following the Reconquista.
The historic quarter reflects a past where Jewish, Muslim, and Christian communities shaped its character through their presence and daily life. Streets like Calle Mayor show evidence of this coexistence through architectural details, while main squares display buildings that served both religious and civic purposes across different periods.
The quarter is easily explored on foot and its flat terrain makes walking comfortable. Most pathways are paved or stone-covered, though some areas have uneven ground requiring careful steps.
The Plaza de Cervantes displays an unusual asymmetry, with covered arcades on one side and open space on the other, resulting from historical negotiations between institutions. This quirk remains one of the plaza's most distinctive features.
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