It is of Roman origins, known in Latin as Complutum. It is well-known because of its university, the Universidad Complutense, which was founded by Cardinal Cisneros in 1496. The university was located in the city of Alcala for more than four centuries until in the XIX century it was moved to Madrid.
The author Miguel de Cervantes was born here.
During the Middle Ages, Alcalá was peacefully inhabited by Jews, Muslims and Christians, so it is now full of artistic and historic sights.