10 essentials: what to see in Alcázar de San Juan (Ciudad Real)

Alcazar of San Juan It is an important population in the Ciudad Real province which is sometimes known as the “Heart of La Mancha".

Many times, when traveling by train or car, we pass near Alcazar of San Juan on our way to other places, but we didn't think about stopping.

Its image as a modern city that has grown due to being an important communications hub makes us forget its attractions, many of them related to its long history.

We must not forget that its strategic location as a crossroads does not only refer to today's highways and railways.

For many centuries it has enjoyed the aforementioned privilege of being a crossroads and, therefore, this town has lived an intense history for many centuries, which is reflected in the monuments that we find in the old town of the city.

In addition to your self-interest, Alcazar of San Juan can be included in different routes through the area, such as the Don Quixote Route or the La Mancha Wine Route.

On the other hand, in its surroundings we can discover different natural landscapes of great value, as their Lagoons, and that these attractions are not well known does not mean that they are not of interest.

Curiosities history of Alcázar de San Juan

In this area they have been found archaeological remains for the Stone age and the Bronze Age.

Some historians think that this area was where the pre-Roman city of Alces, which was conquered by the praetor Sempronius Gracchus.

Here a Roman Village, of which some are preserved mosaics.

This mansion would be the center of an agricultural operation and, over time, still in Roman times or already in the Visigoth era, it would be the origin of a small town.

In Muslim times a fortress would be built, and that is why it took the name Al Kassar, from which the current one of Alcázar derives.

Later the region came under the rule of the Hospital Order of the Knights of Saint John, from whom he adopted the second part of the name.

During the 16th and 17th centuries it lived a period of splendor, which can be seen today in the churches and mansions that are so abundant in the historic center. It is the time of his relationship with the Cervantine world.

Since the 19th century Alcazar of San Juan is experiencing another moment of great development, related in this case to the railway and wine production, from which many buildings of interest also remain, such as the one occupied by the Town hall nowadays.

What to see and visit for tourism in Alcázar de San Juan in one day

Below we will highlight the main attractions that we can know in a sightseeing visit in one day to this population of the Ciudad Real province.

Museum of the palace complex of the Grand Prior in Alcázar de San Juan

This set tells us about the Wall that once surrounded Alcazar of San Juan and they are the most important remains of the medieval past.

What stands out most is the Grand Prior's Keep.

It is a Almohad construction from the 13th century and which later formed part of the palace of the great priors for the Order of Saint John.

Its three floors are now a small museum that counts history of knights who dominated the region.

Don't forget to go to the top to enjoy the views over the historic district.

Next to it is the Palace Chapel and some archaeological remains some of which date back to Roman times.

A few meters away we also find The Cubillo a semi-elliptical tower, which would form part of the wall and was probably used as bell tower of St. Mary's Church.

On the other side of the square is the Governor's House.

Church of Santa María in Alcázar de San Juan

En Alcazar of San Juan is preserved baptismal of such a Miguel de Cervantes, which would have been baptized in the church of Saint Mary.

There you can see a 14th century baptismal font, and you should not miss the Dressing Room of the Virgin, much later, a small gem of the baroque when it was already evolving towards rococo.

Right between the church and El Cubillo we will see a monument to Miguel de Cervantes.

Casa del Hidalgo Museum in Alcázar de San Juan

This museum is located in a old manor house from the 16th century that was known as King's House.

Although with some modifications made over time, a good part of the original building is preserved, which helps us imagine the life of the noblemen that could inspire Cervantes to write his great work.

In addition to the architectural spaces, the house shows a good number of original pieces from the time, coming from various museums.

There are also different audiovisual and interactive resources that complement the visit.

Municipal Museum of Alcázar de San Juan

occupies a manor house and what remains of a hermitage, and shows a good part of the archaeological heritage discovered in different excavations carried out in the area.

Alcázar de San Juan Town Hall

The building that houses the headquarters of the Town hall dominates the Spain Square, the main one in Alcázar.

However, this imposing construction was not built to house the Town Hallbut as casino.

The façade somewhat imitates the italian renaissance palaces with a certain decorative profusion inside.

In front of the Town Hall there is a small monument to Don Quixote and Sancho.

Convent of Santa Clara in Alcázar de San Juan

It is a great set of Renaissance style, very sober, from the 16th century. A few years ago he became inn.

It is said that the nuns of this convent were the creators of the famous Alcazar cakes which train passengers bought when it stopped at the station and which they then carried throughout the country.

Church of San Francisco in Alcázar de San Juan

This imposing church, built during the transition of the Gothic al rebirth, is all that remains of the old Convent of San Francisco.

It was also known as University of Alcazar Since from the 17th century it housed different chairs, such as grammar and arts.

Its interior is truly spacious and impressive, with an imposing system of star-shaped vaults. The tower is especially tall, about 35 meters.

Alces Park in Alcázar de San Juan

You shouldn't have to abandon Alcazar without walking around Moose Park, a huge green space that is a very pleasant surprise.

In it we will find more than 300 different species of plants, and highlights a copy of blue cypress, the only example of a unique tree from Castilla-La Mancha that is found within an urban park.

Windmills in Alcázar de San Juan

It is a set of four mills that rise on the outskirts of Alcázar, on the San Anton Hill, where it is known that there were at least 14 mills before.

Apart from their characteristic image, fundamental in the La Mancha and Cervantes landscape, it is worth going up the hill to see them up close, enjoy the views and, also, take the opportunity to get to know them from the inside.

This is possible because in one of them the original machinery from the 16th century and, therefore, we could say that it is a mill that could work perfectly.

It is very curious to learn how they found out where the wind came from in order to orient the blades to take advantage of their force for grinding.

Alcázar Lagoons

Just a few kilometers from the town center we find a lagoon complex very interesting that it is part of the La Mancha Húmeda Biosphere Reserve.

Is three lagoons (the Veguilla, Villafranca Road y The Mares) that attract a very varied fauna, whether stable or migratory.

The first is the one with the most water, while the other two tend to dry out in summer, within the natural process of these lagoons.

Depending on the time of year you visit, you can spot storks, herons, cranes and flamingos.

The flora associated with the lagoons is also very interesting, which becomes the habitat of some endemic insects in the area.