Mundos de Mujeres / Women's Worlds 2008
Due to its cultural wealth Alcalá was declared to be a City of the Human Heritage in 1998. First of all, the city was the headquarters of University Complutense, founded by Cardinal Cisneros in 1499. The building of the University, which up till now is a Rectorate of Alcalá, has an amazing Renaissance Facade (in the Plateresco style). In its famous patios the classes of Latin, Greek and Hebrew were given. There are also interesting cloisters, gardens, an auditorium and a room decorated in mudéjar style where each year the Cervantes Prizes are presented.
There is a great number of churches, monasteries and convents like Catedral Magistral, Palacio Arzobispal, Conventos de las Carmelitas, Agustinas, Dominicos, de Imagen or de San Juan that can be found in the city.
Other interesting cultural places, which are really worth seeing: Hospital de Antezana, el Oratorio de San Felipe Neri and the Museo Casa Natal de Cervantes.
Distance between Madrid and Alcalá de Henares: 43 Km.
Train leaves frequently.
Links:
http://www.ayto-alcaladehenares.es/home.asp
http://www.guiarte.com/alcaladehenares/
The fertile plain of Aranjuez, between the Tagus and Jarama rivers, has been populated since distant times. The current layout dates back to the reign of Felipe II (16 th century), who awarded this town the title of Royal Site.
The Royal Palace has been a residence of the kings since the reign of Catholics Kings (1561). In 2000 the Monumental Historic Centre was declared by UNESCO as a Cultural Landscape Heritage of the Humanity.
One of the jewels of this town, near Madrid (47 km), and the origin of splendour, is its Royal Palace. The current appearance is the result of reconstructions and extensions which began with the work of Juan Bautista de Toledo, architect to Philip II.
There are a few things which have to be seen, among them: the Cabinet of Porcelain and Hall of the Mirrors.
Another characteristic element of Aranjuez is its gardens. Opposite to the east façade of the palace is the Flower-bed Garden, English in style, where the fountain sculptures are outstanding. Further, two gardens begin near the buildings. Island Garden , named so because it stretches between the course of the Tagus and the Ría, is another of the places worth strolling through. More wooded is the Prince's Garden, in a French Gothic style. The course of the river, fountains and squares takes you to the Casa del Labrador. It is another small palace in the style of the pavilions of Versailles (París), which houses interesting exhibitions of painting.
The rest of the town also displays the same values, reflected in the layout of its streets, in the purest baroque style.
The city, as well as the Bullfighting Arena (Plaza de Toros), are live examples of the 18 th century architecture of the Enlightenment.
Distance between Madrid and Aranjuez: 49 Km.
Train leaves frequently.
Address: Plaza de Parejas
28300 Aranjuez (Madrid).
Telephone: (+34) 91 891 13 44 y (+34) 91 892 43 32
Timetable: Working days, Sundays and Holidays 10:00 to 18:15
Entry charge: General 5 €.
Links:
http://www.patrimonionacional.es/aranj/aranjuez.htm
http://www.aranjuez.com/
http://www.aranjuez-realsitio.com/sql/
Ávila, a UNESCO World's Heritage Site; despite having beautiful architectonical setting is more popular for its Walls (Murallas). Within the area of the city you can find many churches, squares, convents and streets which are really worth seeing.
Distance between Ávila and Madrid: 115 Km.
Links:
http://www.avilaturismo.com/
http://www.cyberspain.com/ciudades-patrimonio/eavila.htm
http://www.arteguias.com/romanico_avila.htm
It has been declared a historical artistic village in 1974. Chinchón has a beautiful Plaza Mayor with its arcades and galleries from 15 th century.
Aranjuez is also known for its houses with incredible coats of arms, as well as for its exquisite traditional Castilian cuisine.
Distance between Madrid and Chinchón: 46 Km.
Links:
http://www.vidarural.com/chinchon
http://www.ciudad-chinchon.com/
San Lorenzo de El Escorial is located 50 km away from Madrid, in the mountains of Guadarrama. Offers different attractions such as the Royal Site, First House of Trades (Primera Casa de Oficios), Second House of Trades (Segunda Casa de Oficios), Company Quarters (Casa de la Compaña), Prince's and Queen's House (Casa de los Infantes y de la Reina), Princes' Family House (Casa de familias de los Infantes)and Carlos III Royal Coliseum Theatre (el Real Coliseo de Carlos III).
Link:
http://www.sanlorenzoturismo.org/
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, was ordered to be built by Felipe II in the 16th century to commemorate the Battle of San Quintín. It was his political centre. It was a place where he ordered to construct a palace, library, mausoleum and his family vault as well as build a basilica and a monastery.
Address: C/ Juan de Borbón y Battemberg, s/n.
28200 San Lorenzo de El Escorial (Madrid)
Horarios de apertura: Laborable, domingos y festivos de 10 a 18 h.
Telephone: (+34) 91 890 59 02
Timetable: Working days, Sunday and Holidays 10.00 to 6.00p.m.
Distance between El Escorial and Madrid: 50 Km.
Links:
http://www.patrimonionacional.es/escorial/escorial.htm
http://www.sanlorenzodeelescorial.org/
http://www.guiamadridrural.com/Pueblos/GuadarramaSierra/SanLorenzoDeElEscorial.htm
http://www.upv.es/claraboya/report/enzo.htm
Salamanca is one of the oldest university cities of Spain. Its monumental route is filled with churches, palaces, monuments, etc.
Salamanca, a UNESCO World's Heritage Site, was a European Capital of Culture in the 2002. Located on the bank of the Tormes river. Its population amounts to: 159.000 inhabitants.
Despite the extreme climate (cold and dry winter and warm summer), it has so many tourist, cultural and leisure time attractions, that no one going there would be disappointed.
Distance between Salamanca and Madrid: 207 Km.
Links:
http://www.salamanca.es
http://www.turismocastillayleon.com
http://www.salamanca.com
S
egovia is a city overflowing interesting places. Without doubt it is best known for its majestic Roman Aqueduct ( Acueducto Romano ), UNESCO World's Heritage Site. In its neighbourhood you can also see such interesting places as: Palacio de la Granja or Parque Natural de las Hoces del Río Duratón.
Distance between Segovia and Madrid 92 Km.
Links:
http://www.viasegovia.com/
http://www.aytosegovia.com
http://www.softdoc.es/guia_madrid/excursiones/segovia.html
Situated close to Segovia, place where Felipe V remodelled the gardens and palace and turned it into a summer residence for monarch, till the reign of Alfonso XIII. Even just the well preserved gardens, resembling the ones from 18 th century, are a great attraction to the visitors.
Address: Plaza de España, 17 40100
Real Sitio de San Ildefonso (Segovia)
Telephone: (+34) 921 47 00 19
Timetable: Tuesday to Sunday 10.00 to 6.00 p.m.
Entry charge: Basic 5 €.
Link: http://www.realsitio.com/
http://www.patrimonionacional.es/granja/granja.htm
Toledo is one of the Spanish cities with the greatest wealth of monuments. Known as the "city of three cultures", because Christians, Arabs and Jews lived there together for centuries, behind its walls Toledo preserves an artistic and cultural legacy in the form of churches, palaces, fortresses, mosques and synagogues. This great diversity of artistic styles makes the old quarter of the capital of La Mancha a real open-air museum, which has led to it being declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.
You can find references about Toledo, dated form the IV BC. It has been a very important city in the history of Spain.. For once, around the 10 th century, Toledo was home to the famous School of Translators, of the great importance in European cultural world of its period, and capital of the Castilian Reign in the 16th century.
Distance between Toledo and Madrid 71 Km. There is a high-speed rail leaving very frequently.
Links:
http://www.toledoweb.org
http://www.ayto-toledo.org/
http://www.castillalamancha.es
http://www.conocetoledo.com