Calle Mayor
Spain
It owes its origin to the old Jewish aljama of the city, around the twelfth century, which was built along the path of the Caesar Augusta Roman road that passed through Complutum. As today, it was the commercial street of Alcalá par excellence during the Middle Ages, so it was supported almost entirely, to place the stores at street level, while the houses were on the upper floor (with a gallery that communicated to the inhabitants of the different homes without having to descend to the public thoroughfare).
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the Calle Mayor of Alcalá de Henares, a street that is quite literally a tunnel through time. As we begin our walk, you are standing on what is officially recognized as the longest continuously arcaded street in Europe. …
Listen in the app2The Soportales: Architectural Ingenuity
Let us pause for a moment to examine the columns that support the houses above. These 'soportales' are a masterpiece of urban design, evolved over centuries. …
Listen in the app3The Cervantes Birthplace Museum
We arrive now at one of the most significant addresses in the world of literature: the Casa Natal de Miguel de Cervantes. While the current building is a reconstruction based on historical records, it stands on the exact site…
Listen in the app4Antezana Hospital: A Century of Care
A short walk further down the street brings us to the Hospital de Antezana, one of the oldest functioning hospitals in Spain, and perhaps the world. Founded in 1483 by the Antezana family, it has provided care for the poor and…
Listen in the app5The Jewish Quarter and the Medieval Soul
To truly understand the Calle Mayor, we must look beneath its surface to its medieval roots. For centuries, this area was the heart of the Jewish Quarter, or 'aljama,' of Alcalá. …
Listen in the app6Gastronomy and the Culture of Tapas
As we continue our stroll, it is impossible to ignore the culinary life of the Calle Mayor. This street is a paradise for lovers of Spanish gastronomy. …
Listen in the app7Modern Life and the Continuity of Commerce
As we reach the northern end of the Calle Mayor, we witness the synthesis of the ancient and the modern. While the street is a historical landmark, it is not a museum; it remains a vibrant commercial artery. …
Listen in the app8Closing
Our walk along the Calle Mayor has come to an end, but the stories of this street will stay with you. We have journeyed through Europe’s longest arcaded walkway, explored the birthplace of the world’s greatest Spanish author, and…
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What is Calle Mayor?
Calle Mayor is a place in Spain with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Spain |
|---|---|
| Type | Activity |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 40.4821, -3.3670 |
| Last updated |
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