Cervantes Train: The best way to get to know Alcalá de Henares, the birthplace of the emblematic author

The Cervantes Train will run again from next September 18, after having seen its usual service interrupted due to the situation generated by the Covid-19 health crisis. After this long-awaited announcement, it has transpired that the Cercanías Madrid train returns this fall to Alcalá de Henares, in collaboration with the Community of Madrid, the City Council of Alcalá and the General Foundation of the Alcalaína University, and bets one more season for the cultural tourism.

The Cervantes Train is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist activities for travelers who visit Madrid, since it merges fun and learning into the same experience about what is considered the greatest figure in Spanish literature. To date and since the start of the Cervantes Train, more than 30,000 people have participated.

Who was Miguel de Cervantes?

Miguel de Cervantes was a Spanish novelist, poet, playwright and soldier. He is considered the greatest figure in Spanish literature and is universally known for having written The ingenious hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha, a novel commonly known as Don Quixote, which many critics have described as the first modern novel and one of the best works of universal literature. As if that were not enough, it is also the second book in history in number of editions and translations, only surpassed by the Bible.

He is the most famous writer in the Spanish language. He was born in 1547 in Alcalá de Henares, a city where the train arrives and which, due to its cultural importance, has been distinguished as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. As I remember such an unforgettable writer, the Cervantes Train travels from Atocha to Alcalá de Henares representing some of the most famous passages and remembering his most important work “Don Quixote”.

Why a thematic train about its history and work? For the authorities involved, to get to know the city of Complutense there is nothing better than a theatrical visit, with the company and narration of actors characterized by the time, who accompany the traveler at all times, enlivening the visit also within of the train.

Travel information: Knowing Alcalá de Henares is a great alternative during your stay in the Spanish capital since it is the only World Heritage City of Madrid.

How is the Cervantes Train route?

Discover the city of Alcalá de Henares through the Museum of his birthplace, the University or other emblematic buildings, is the best way to get closer and understand the work of such an illustrious writer. The visit begins at the Madrid Atocha station. There entertainers dressed in the manner of the Golden Age receive the travelers and later represent Cervantes passages during the journey.

Located northwest of Madrid, as we mentioned earlier, Alcalá de Henares is known for the University of Alcalá, which occupies 16th century buildings in the old city. Among them is the Paraninfo, a room with an intricate Mudejar pattern on its ceiling, where the King of Spain presents each year the Cervantes literary prize. Also in honor of the prodigious author, the Miguel de Cervantes Prize for Spanish Language Literature, also known as the Cervantes Prize or the Miguel de Cervantes Prize, is a prize for literature in the Spanish language awarded annually by the Ministry of Culture and Sports at the proposal of the Association of Academies of the Spanish Language.

After a journey of an approximate duration of 35 minutes, upon arriving in the city, travelers will begin a tour, divided into episodes like a literary work, through the historic center. Among the places indicated are the Calle Mayor, the Plaza de Cervantes, the Casa Natal de Cervantes Museum, the Cisneriana University, the Cathedral and other places of interest.

The itinerary and experience includes the guided visit and entrance to the most outstanding buildings and monuments of the Complutense monumental complex and an aperitif (2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) at the The old house restaurant. In turn, for those who choose to return on the Cervantes Train, they will participate in the raffle for a special Cervantes-themed book.

Itinerary of the Cervantes Train

• 10:35 h. Departure from Madrid Atocha (The train will be available 20 minutes before departure for the reception and boarding of travelers).
  • Reception of travelers by dressed entertainers from the time of the Golden Age.
  • Representation of Cervantes passages that will enliven the journey to the city of Alcalá de Henares.
• 11:05 h. Arrival at the Alcalá de Henares station. Travelers will be received by the guides, who, dividing them into groups of 30 people, will accompany them and explain the most significant monuments of the city:
  • Palacio de Laredo. Cisneriano Museum (exterior).
  • Historic center of Alcalá de Henares: Plaza Puerta de Mártires (Plaza de los Cuatro Caños), Calle Libreros (academic district), Plaza de Cervantes, Corral de comedias (interior), Capilla del Oidor (interior), Calle de los Colegios (old University Campus), Calle Mayor, Magistral Cathedral (exterior), Archbishop’s Palace and Bernardas (exterior), Image Street, Cervantes Birthplace (interior), Old Hospital of Antezana (exterior).
  • Regional Archaeological Museum (interior).
• 1:45 p.m. Free Time (a brochure with the restaurants adhering to the program where they will have an additional discount).
• 17:00 h. Meeting point in Plaza de Cervantes to continue with the guided tour:
  • Plaza de San Diego.
  • Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso or University of Alcalá (interior).
  • Paraninfo (interior).
  • Chapel of San Ildefonso (interior).
  • Convent of Las Diegas or Clarisas (exterior): sale of caramelised almonds and artisan sweets.
• 6:50 p.m. Return to Madrid-Atocha station (The train will be available 20 minutes before the departure for the reception and loading of the travelers).
  • A raffle will be held for a special issue of Cervantina content or theme.
• 19.25 h. & nbsp ; Arrival at Atocha station and end of the activity.

* Exceptionally, schedules and routes may be modified for reasons beyond the control of the organization.

Cervantes Train Schedules

Departure: Madrid-Atocha Station: 10: 35 h

Return: Alcalá Station: 18:35 h

How much does the Cervantes Train ticket cost?

– Cervantes Train Prices 2021 : The value of the ticket for adults amounts to 22 euros, and 16 euros in the case of children between 7 and 11 years old.

The points of sale are through the web, in ticket machines and ticket offices of Cercanías Madrid. As indicated by the organization, the tickets, which can now be purchased, keep the promotion from previous years in force: with the purchase of two adult tickets, a children’s ticket is a gift.