Universities
The University of Granada was founded in 1531, when Pope Clement VII issued the papal bull at the behest of Emperor Charles V. This act cemented Granada’s vocation as a university city open to different cultures, peoples and religious beliefs, continuing the tradition that started in the 14th Century with the creation of the original university, the madrasah, by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada.
Over the years, a number of major extensions have been made possible thanks to contributions such as the donation made by Juan Crespo Marmolejo in 1626, and pivotal events such as the seizure of Jesuit property in 1767. With almost 500 years of tradition behind it, the University of Granada combines a unique vantage point across history with an ever-growing social and cultural influence on the city. As such, it has stood at the heart of southern Spain’s intellectual and cultural development for almost five centuries.