The Magistral Cathedral of Alcalá de Henares is one of only two churches in the world to hold the title "magistral" — a distinction requiring that all its canons hold doctorates in theology. The tradition dates to the founding of the university, when Cardinal Cisneros established the arrangement to ensure a learned clergy for his new educational city. The current Gothic structure was built between 1497 and 1516, and the interior holds a fine Renaissance altarpiece and several notable tombs.
The cathedral stands on the Plaza de los Santos Niños, a short walk from the university. Guided tours are available, covering the choir, the chapels, and the crypt. The tower offers views over the old city. The other magistral church in the world is San Pedro de Lovaina in Belgium — a quirk of Catholic canon law that connects two medieval university cities across Europe.
story: "The cathedral is dedicated to the child martyrs Justo and Pastor, two Roman schoolboys who were reportedly executed in Alcalá (then Complutum) in 304 AD for publicly declaring their Christian faith. Their story is more legend than history, but it gave Alcalá its original name — Alcalá de San Justo — and the city still celebrates their feast day each August 6."