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La Voz de Madrid

Alcalá de Henares Celebrates 175 Years of the Sociedad de Condueños with an Exhibition

The exhibition at the Capilla del Oidor highlights the institution's work in protecting the city's university heritage.

Generic image of an exhibition hall or library with a historical atmosphere.
IA

Generic image of an exhibition hall or library with a historical atmosphere.

The Capilla del Oidor in Alcalá de Henares is hosting the exhibition La Sociedad de Condueños. 175 años de historia, a journey through the heritage protection efforts of this institution, on display until May 10.

Organized in collaboration with the Alcalá de Henares City Council through the Department of Culture, the exhibition uses documentary and iconographic materials to detail the significant actions of the Sociedad de Condueños in 1851 to preserve local heritage.
The inauguration was attended by prominent figures such as Isabel Ruiz Maldonado, first deputy mayor, accompanied by Víctor Acosta, deputy mayor, and Santiago Alonso, Culture councilor. Also present were Antonio Saldaña from Popular Festivals, Víctor Cobo from Consumer Affairs, and socialist councilor María Aranguren. Representing the host institution were José Félix Huerta, president of the Sociedad de Condueños, and members of its Administrative Commission, along with Carmelo García, rector of the University of Alcalá, and Fernando Galván, emeritus rector, as well as representatives from various social and cultural entities in the city.
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"An inspiration for society, culture, and the common good."

Isabel Ruiz Maldonado · First Deputy Mayor and Tourism Councilor
Ruiz Maldonado emphasized the relevance of the Sociedad de Condueños, which brought together the will and economic contributions of the people of Alcalá to acquire and safeguard the emblematic university block of the Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso, preventing its plunder and disappearance. The Tourism councilor highlighted that this pioneering act of “civic rebellion” and “love for their city” allowed Alcalá de Henares today to enjoy a university and a historic city recognized as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
The exhibition offers a historical journey through original documents, paintings, and photographs, illustrating the determination of citizens who mobilized in 1850 in response to the critical situation of the old university block. Their intervention was crucial in preventing the deterioration of the Cisnerian precinct after the transfer of the University to Madrid, setting a precedent in civil heritage protection in Spain.
The exhibition's narrative highlights the Society's role as a guarantor of the city's architectural integrity, a decisive factor for its inclusion in the World Heritage list. The display invites reflection on heritage preservation and civic commitment, connecting the past of the Cisnerian University with the present of Alcalá de Henares and solidifying the Sociedad de Condueños as a cornerstone of collective memory and a pioneering example of patronage.
The exhibition, with free admission, can be visited in the Kioto room of the Capilla del Oidor until May 10. Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00, and Sundays from 11:00 to 14:00, remaining closed on Mondays.

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