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Complutense University of Madrid is a public research university located in Madrid, Spain. The Complutense University of Madrid has a long and rich history, dating back to its founding in Alcalá de Henares in 1293. It was originally known as the University of Alcalá, but was renamed the Complutense University of Madrid in 1836 when it was moved to Madrid. The university was founded by Cardinal Cisneros, a powerful and influential figure in the Spanish court. Cisneros was a humanist and a scholar, and he envisioned the university as a center of learning and excellence. He attracted some of the brightest minds of the time to the university, including scholars such as Antonio de Nebrija and Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros.

The Complutense University of Madrid quickly became one of the most prestigious universities in Europe. It was known for its high standards of teaching and research, and for its commitment to academic freedom. The university was also a center of innovation, and it played a leading role in the development of the Renaissance in Spain. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Complutense University of Madrid continued to be a major center of learning and culture. The university played a leading role in the Spanish Enlightenment, and it was home to some of the most important intellectuals of the era, such as Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos and José de Cadalso. The Complutense University of Madrid also played a significant role in the Spanish Civil War. The university was a stronghold of the Republican government, and it was heavily bombed by the Nationalist forces. After the war, the university was suppressed by the Franco regime, and many of its professors were dismissed.

However, the Complutense University of Madrid experienced a revival after the death of Franco in 1975. The university became a center of democratic opposition to the regime, and it played a leading role in the transition to democracy in Spain. Today, the Complutense University of Madrid is one of the most prestigious universities in Spain and the world. It is a major center of learning and research, and it attracts students and faculty from all over the globe.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2026, Complutense University of Madrid is positioned as the #187 top university in the world, which makes it the #3 top university in Spain. The university's global rank decreased by 23 points from last year.