Real Colegio de Espana (Royal Spanish College), Bologna

Constructed in the 1360s to accommodate non-resident students of Bologna's Studium, the Royal Spanish College predates Spain's formal unification by over a century. Its title, "royal", was bestowed by Emperor Charles V during his coronation in Bologna in 1530. In the early 20th century, the college faced dire financial straits, jeopardizing its structural integrity. Fortunately, intervention from the Infantado Duke and King Alfonso XIII ensured the institute's preservation.

In the latter half of the 1900s, extensive renovations rejuvenated the complex, revealing ancient structures and decorations previously obscured by neo-Gothic additions. Nestled within the complex lies the Gothic church of San Clemente, featuring a polyptych by Marco Zoppo and a fresco by Andre de’ Bartoli dating back to 1368. The overall architecture is a blend of Italian influences, notably seen in the use of loggias, while also exhibiting characteristics reminiscent of medieval college structures found in England and France, with its central rectangular courtyard.

Notably, the college houses the world's most extensive private collection of medieval codices. Throughout history, it has hosted prominent figures such as Antonio de Nebrija, Ignacio de Loyola, Pietro d’Arbués, and Miguel de Cervantes.