Alcalá de Henares, represented by its mayor Judith Piquet, was present last Monday at an institutional reception at the El Pardo Palace. The event, hosted by HM King Felipe VI, brought together the mayors of the Group of World Heritage Cities of Spain, of which the Complutense city is a part along with 14 other cities recognized by Unesco.

During the meeting, the municipal representatives conveyed to His Majesty the King the firm commitment of these cities to the preservation, protection, and promotion of their historic centers and the valuable cultural legacy they contribute to Spain.

Judith Piquet expressed her pride in Alcalá de Henares' participation in this event, calling the other 14 cities "sisters". She emphasized that the city "represents an essential part of the history, culture, and also the university legacy of our country", and considered the meeting as a recognition of the "daily effort in conservation and promotion of a heritage that we have and that belongs to everyone".

The mayor assured that Alcalá will continue to work actively in protecting its heritage, including its historic center and its University, with the aim of boosting its international projection and transforming this legacy into an opportunity for cultural, tourist, and economic development.

Piquet concluded by stating that "being part of a group of unique cities obliges us to maintain excellence and also to continue caring for an identity that makes us benchmarks both within and outside our country".

During the reception, the Group of World Heritage Cities of Spain also highlighted the importance of institutional collaboration and joint projects that unite the 15 cities to strengthen the conservation and dissemination of World Heritage.