23 April in Alcalá: The epicentre of literature just a stone’s throw from Francesco’s
Every 23 April, Alcalá de Henares is transformed. It is not just a date marked on the calendar: it is the day when the city breathes literature in every corner. Streets full of life, bookshops open, conversations about books and an atmosphere that turns Alcalá into a true world capital of literature.
From Francesco’s, we experience it up close. We are just a stone’s throw away from everything that’s happening: the cultural buzz, the hustle and bustle in the streets and, above all, the venue for one of the most important moments of the year: the Cervantes Prize ceremony. For us, this day is special not only for what it represents, but for how it is experienced. It is a blend of history, culture and emotion that can be felt with every stroll through the town centre.
Ambiente festivo en la Calle Libreros durante el Día del Libro. Imagen: Ayuntamiento de Alcalá de Henares / El Periódico de España.
Calle Libreros: The historic royal route to the University’s Paraninfo
Calle Libreros is no ordinary street. It is one of Alcalá’s most symbolic thoroughfares, a road that leads directly to the heart of the city’s university district. Walking along it is like travelling through centuries of history: from the old printing houses to the iconic University Auditorium of Alcalá.
In a way, it is a natural path towards knowledge, towards the written word and towards everything that Cervantes’ legacy represents. And it is also where we are located, at number 15, forming part of that journey that blends tradition and the present.
Calle Libreros in Alcalá de Henares around 1920, when it still featured its historic boulevard. Source: Alcalá de Henares Municipal Archives / Wikipedia.
South view of the Paraninfo at the University of Alcalá. Photo: Raimundo Pastor / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).
From the printing presses that brought *Don Quixote* to life to the artisanal excellence of our bakery
If anything defines this street, it is craftsmanship. In the past, it was the printing presses that gave shape to words; today, we continue to speak of meticulous processes, time and attention to detail. At Francesco’s, we like to think that we share that same spirit.
Just as books were created with patience and skill, we approach our cuisine with the same philosophy: respect for the process, attention to detail and a constant pursuit of quality. Our oven, our doughs and our dishes are the result of that artisanal work which, in some way, connects with the historical essence of the surroundings in which we find ourselves.
Celebrating the 2026 Cervantes Prize: A meeting of high culture and signature cuisine
The Cervantes Prize is not merely an institutional event. It is a symbol. It represents the very best of Spanish-language literature and transforms Alcalá into a cultural hub for the day.
We like to see this day as a meeting of disciplines: literature on the one hand, and gastronomy on the other. Because, ultimately, they both share something essential: they tell stories. One through words, the other through flavours.
At Francesco’s, we want to be part of that moment. To offer a space where, after the ceremony, after a stroll, or even before all that, you can continue to enjoy the experience. A table where the conversation continues, where the atmosphere is just right, and where the cuisine is worthy of the occasion.
Why is number 15 Calle Libreros the ideal place to experience the book festival?
Our location is no coincidence. Being at number 15 Calle Libreros means being at the heart of everything that happens on that day.
Here we can:
- Sentir el ambiente desde primera línea
- Enjoy the cultural scene without having to travel
- Experience 23 April as an active part of the city
But we also offer something to complement that experience: a place to stop, sit down and enjoy yourself. Because after exploring, listening and experiencing, you’ll also want to share a good meal or a quiet dinner in a pleasant setting.
A view of the terrace at Francesco’s restaurant, Calle Libreros, Alcalá de Henares.
A toast to the award winner: Tradition, respect and flavour in the heart of Alcalá
23 April is, above all, a day of celebration. And this year we are marking it by giving that toast a name: Gonzalo Celorio, winner of the Cervantes Prize, a figure who embodies depth, elegance and a commitment to Spanish-language literature.
His work invites us to pause, to observe and to enjoy the details. And at Francesco’s we feel a natural connection with that way of understanding things. Because, just as in Celorio’s literature, our cuisine is committed to balance, respect for the origins of ingredients and care in every step of the process.
We like to think that, on a day like this, the celebration continues at the table. That after the ceremony in the Paraninfo, the tribute to the laureate can continue with good conversation, a glass of wine and cuisine that complements without overshadowing. Our Italian offering, rooted in tradition and quality produce, fits perfectly with this spirit: dishes that seek not to impress, but to move.
We raise a toast to Gonzalo Celorio, to his legacy and to everything the Cervantes Prize represents. And we do so as we know best: with a shared table, a carefully curated atmosphere and the pleasure of enjoying Alcalá from the heart of its history.
