The conference will be held in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, on the beautiful campus of the University of Alcalá. The University of Alcalá is located about 20 miles northeast of Madrid.

The City

Alcalá de Henares

Since the foundation of the Cisnerian university in 1499, the history of the city of Alcalá de Henares has been intimately bound up with that of the University. However, as the Arabic origin of its name (al-qal’a Nahar = Castle over the River Henares) indicates, the city has a much longer history, stretching at least as far back as the Roman city of Complutum. For centuries peaceful home to Jew, Christian and Muslim, birthplace of Catherine of Aragon and stage for one of Columbus’ interviews with the Catholic Kings, Alcalá de Henares is best known worldwide as the cradle of Miguel de Cervantes, creator of Don Quixote. Cervantes’ statue will guide you as you shuttle between Caracciolos and the Rectorate, while his birthplace museum is well worth a visit between sessions.

Cervantes Square is the former Market square of Alcalá, where medieval people traded their products on market days. The square was also used as a bullring during fairs and festivals. It’s name comes from Miguel de Cervantes, one of the most important icons of Alcalá. He was born in Alcalá, in the old church of Santa María, whose ruins are next to this square (Oidor Chapel and tower of Santa María). In the center of the square, there is a sculpture of Cervantes.

If we had to choose just one thing to visit in Alcalá, most of us would choose the University. Cardinal Cisneros founded in 1499, and since then, it has been one of the most important institutions in Alcalá. Learn more about it in this post. College of San Ildefonso is a building that is worth a visit, even though you have to pay 4 euros for a guided visit, you’ll definitively love it. The facade is gorgeous, and if you come on a weekday you can visit the patios for free. Nevertheless, the only way there is to visit Paraninfo or San Ildefonso’s Chapel is to pay for the visit.


Getting Here

How to get to Alcala

By Train ( only from T4 Madrid Airport )
Line C-1 runs from Madrid Airport to Atocha Station, Nuevos Ministerios and Chamartín Station. There you have to interchange to Line C-2 or Line C-7 which run from Madrid to Alcalá de Henares.
Map of the train network in Madrid (pdf format): Madrid train netowrk.pdf
Line C-1 Timetable: C-1 Timetable Link
Line C-2 Timetable: C-2 Timetable Link
Line C-7 Timetable: C-7 Timetable Link

By Bus ( only from T1 and T2 at Madrid Airport )
The Interurbano Line 824 is a direct bus from T1 and T2 at Madrid Airport to Alcalá de Henares.
Line 824 Timetable: 824 Timetable Link

Note: there is a free bus from T4 to terminals T1, T2 & T3.

By Metro & Bus ( from T1-T2-T3-T4 at Madrid Airport )
The Metro Line 8 runs from T1-T2-T3-T4 at Madrid Airport to Nuevos Ministerios.
The bus lines 223, 227, 229 run from Av. de América to Alcalá de Henares.
Map of the metro network in Madrid (pdf format): Madrid metro network.pdf
Line 223 Timetable: 223 Timetable Link
Line 227 Timetable: 227 Timetable Link
Line 229 Timetable: 229 Timetable Link


Accomodation

Hotels information

The local committee suggests booking as soon as possible because of the expectation of high demand in the conference dates. The following hotels are walking distance from the conference: