This milestone, which occurred on October 9th, not only resolved space and facility issues but also drove the modernization of legal studies, which remained in place until the Bologna Plan in 2010, ushering in a new era of academic excellence and research.
According to the book “Enseñar derecho en la República La Facultad de Madrid (1931-1939)” by José María Puyol Montero, the faculty played a crucial role in the design of the new building, contributing suggestions that were incorporated into the plans by architect Agustín Aguirre.
Minutes from the era reflect the overcrowding of the old Caserón, with packed classes and a lack of space for offices and basic services, highlighting the need for modern facilities.
The project, part of the nascent Ciudad Universitaria promoted by Alfonso XIII, was revised by Agustín Aguirre in 1941 after being halted by the war. The building finally welcomed its first students in 1956.
The official opening ceremony for the academic year and the new building on October 9th, 1956, was attended by the Minister of Education, Jesús Rubio, Rector Segismundo Royo Villanova, and Bishop Leopoldo Eijo y Garay. It is estimated that around 4,000 students studied in the new building during the 1956-57 academic year.
