The University of Zaragoza or sometimes Saragossa University (in Spanish: Universidad de Zaragoza) is the only public university in the historic region of Aragón, Spain. The University of Zaragoza was founded in 1542 and in its lecture-rooms have taught internationally recognised professors like the Nobel Prize winner Santiago Ramón y Cajal, who is often considered to be one the "Founding Fathers of Neurosciences". Founded in 1542, it is one of the oldest universities in the world with over 40,000 students in its 22 faculties and ranks among the top public universities in Europe. Situated in the heart of Aragon, the University of Zaragoza is the only public university in the region, which means it is funded by the “Diputación General de Aragón” (Government of Aragon) and the government of Spain. Its activity is spread along the three provinces of Aragon, with teaching campuses and research centres in Huesca, Teruel and Zaragoza. With an impressive history dating back to the Roman period, it is no wonder that the university is very popular with international students. They come from far and wide to study at this cultural University that is surrounded by monuments and museums. Like other institutions of the past and of other nations, the University of Zaragoza did not suddenly arise, but rather had its beginnings in what were known as the Ecclesiastical Schools. In the city these were later known as the School of Zaragoza, whose guiding spirit in the 7th century was the Bishop Braulio (which is the reason why in modern times he was made the patron saint of our University). Later, references from 1335 indicate there was a School of Arts (known as liberal arts, since the classics included in the "trivium and "quadrivium" were taught there. Between 1474 and 1476 this institution earned the category of General School of Arts, to become a university in the 16th century.
