Alcalá de Henares Cathedral Church

Address: Alcalá de Henares Cathedral area, Alcalá de Henares, Community of Madrid, Spain

Alcalá de Henares Cathedral, dedicated to Saints Justus and Pastor, is the principal historic church of Alcalá de Henares in the Community of Madrid. It forms part of the city’s historic centre, which is recognised for its university and urban ensemble.

The building contains Gothic and later Renaissance and Baroque architectural elements resulting from phases of construction and alteration over several centuries. The cathedral complex sits adjacent to other historic university buildings and civic architecture.

The church has medieval origins and was adapted and redecorated in later periods; it has served religious functions for the city throughout its history.

The cathedral is located in the centre of Alcalá de Henares, approximately 35 km northeast of central Madrid, within the city’s UNESCO-designated historic district.

• UNESCO context: Located within the historic centre of Alcalá de Henares, a UNESCO World Heritage site tied to the city’s university and scholastic history.

Alcalá de Henares is about 35 km northeast of Madrid and is served by Cercanías commuter trains (C2 line) from Madrid’s Atocha and Chamartín stations. From the train station the cathedral and city center are a short walk.

• Visit the cathedral early in the morning to hear the building's natural acoustic and to avoid tour-group congestion.
• Look for the Renaissance and Baroque chapels and the cathedral treasury for fine detail most visitors miss.
• Combine with a walk around the Universidad de Alcalá to understand the city's historical layers.