UGR Logo PNG
The UGR logo, representing the oldest Spanish university with deep historical roots dating back to a 14th-century Madrasah, has remained consistent with its royal emblem as the foundation of its heraldic sign. The modern version is a composition of historically significant elements for the university.
The University of Granada traces its origins to 1349, when Sultan Yusuf I founded the Madrasa Yusufiyya in the city center. It functioned as a major learning institution, teaching medicine, mathematics, astronomy, geometry, and logic. The building, known today as La Madraza, still stands near the cathedral.
After the Christian conquest in 1492, the madrasa was converted into the Colegio of San Cecilio. Backed by papal bulls issued by Innocent VIII, it served both religious and political integration, though a full university system had yet to emerge.
In 1526, Emperor Charles V visited Granada and initiated reforms. He founded Colegio San Miguel and Colegio Santa Cruz de la Fe, the latter intended in part for Morisco students. That same year, construction began on the Royal Hospital, now used by the university administration.
On July 14, 1531, Pope Clement VII granted Granada the status of a university with faculties of theology, liberal arts, and canon law. It received the same legal standing as Bologna, Paris, Salamanca, and Alcalá.
During the 16th and early 17th centuries, the university became a recognized academic center in Europe. Later decline followed from the late 1600s into the early 1800s, worsened by the Napoleonic Wars.
Recovery began in the 19th century with liberal reforms. Federico García Lorca studied there. In 1992, the Centro de Lenguas Modernas opened, attracting international students. By the 2000s, Erasmus participation had grown, and by 2014, Granada was rated highly by foreign students, competing with the Complutense University of Madrid in key academic fields.
Meaning and History
The university’s logo utilizes the coat of arms of King Juan Carlos de Bourbon of Spain. Despite the existing elements, the heraldic sign was not static and constantly changed. New figures periodically appeared while old ones disappeared. Now, it includes details related to the former ruler and nuances significant to the university.
The coat of arms is a shield divided into several sectors, each depicting lions, fragments of flags, fortresses, and crosses. It consists of four parts, depicting symbols of Castile and Leon, Aragon and the Two Sicilies, Austria, Old Brabant, and New Burgundy.
What is UGR?
UGR stands for Universidad de Granada, one of Spain’s finest educational institutions. According to the latest rankings, it is considered a leader in computer engineering, mathematics, computer science, and translation. The university was founded almost half a century ago and has several campuses in different cities: Melilla, Ceuta, and Granada.
A knightly attribute is depicted against the background of a double-headed bird with spread wings. Presumably, this is an eagle, a sign of the highest state authority. Above it is a red crown with gold trim and a massive cross. Below is the legendary sign of Gideon, the necklace of the Order of the Golden Fleece, reaching the middle. The university founder’s miniature coat of arms is in the center.
In one of the early versions, the emblem also features two light beige columns with the inscriptions “PLUS” and “ULTRA.” In the modern version, the columns are replaced by wavy lines, improvised to convey the same motto. The words are located to the right and left of the eagle. Because of this, the bird seems to stand on faceted columns, like a guardian of the highest order.
All elements are surrounded by a double-contour frame, as if it’s a large circular stamp. The wide edge reads “UNIVERSITAS GRANATENSIS 1531.” But this only applies to the original logo. In the current version, the border line is absent, the inscription simply frames the coat of arms and the double-headed eagle with a crown.
Font and Colors
Besides the graphic sign based on personal heraldry and free additions, the official symbolism is the university’s name itself, Universidad de Granada. Notably, the third word occupies more space than the first. This is done specifically to emphasize the city where the higher education institution is located.
The logo’s proportionality is ensured by the original writing and size of the letter “N.” The font is Minion Pro. It is presented in lowercase letters and used in Medium and Regular variations. The words “Universidad de” are in Medium, while “Granada” is in Regular. Such a difference in writing compensates for changes in level across different parts of the text and forms a unified style.
The emblem’s color palette consists of crimson, gold, and blue (on the elements of the shield and crown), as well as black and white (on the double-headed eagle and the surrounding inscription). However, red is the university’s main corporate color.