The oldest European universities were founded in the 11th and 12th centuries. The first European university was the University of Bologna, founded in 1088, followed by the University of Oxford, founded in 1096, and the University of Salamanca in 1134. The construction of the Notre Dame Cathedral began in the 12th century, more precisely in the year 1163. The century that encompasses the construction of the Notre Dame cathedral and the oldest European universities is the 12th century.
