The Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) was founded in 1499. Its history can be traced back to May 20th 1293, the date on which Sancho IV of Castile created the Estudio de Escuelas Generales de Alcalá which two centuries later became Cisneros’ Complutense University. During the Civil War the Ciudad Universitaria was turned into a battle front, with the destruction of Faculty buildings and institutions on the campus and part of its rich scientific, artistic and bibliographical heritage as well as the loss of many prestigious members of the teaching staff. In 1970 the Government embarked on a reform of higher education and the Central University was renamed the Complutense University, in reference to its origins. Today, the university is located on a sprawling campus that occupies the entirety of the Ciudad Universitaria district of Madrid, with annexes in the district of Somosaguas.