The Tower of the Great Prior (13th century) - Alcázar de San Juan
The Cubillo
This defensive cube built with sandstone ashlars is the only surviving vestige of the walled enclosure that would protect the palace complex. Its origin is debated, and its belonging to the Almohad citadel that preceded the Christian palace is not ruled out. More information at https://turismoycultura.alcazardesanjuan.es/recurso-turistico/conjunto-palacial-del-gran-prior/
Cervantes Statue
This lost-wax bronze statue is dedicated to Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, and reflects the close bond of Alcázar de San Juan with the author of “Don Quixote”, not only because of a debated baptismal certificate of his found in the 18th century, but for the proven presence of real Alcazareño characters in his work. Authors: Teresa Guerrero Serrano and Javier Martínez Pérez
Parish of Santa María la Mayor
It is the oldest parish in Alcázar de San Juan, already documented in 1226. Although it is believed that it was built on the mosque associated with the Muslim citadel and preserves Romanesque vestiges, the current building is mostly Renaissance factory with later additions. More information at https://turismoycultura.alcazardesanjuan.es/recurso-turistico/parroquia-de-santa-maria-la-mayor/
Camarín of the Virgin of the Rosary
Inside the Collegiate Church of Santa María la Mayor, in addition to its altarpiece, the spectacular Camarín de la Virgen del Rosario from the 18th century stands out. Baroque in style and Rococo influenced, it is covered with a vaulted vault and decorated with Talavera plasterwork and tiles. More information https://turismoycultura.alcazardesanjuan.es/recurso-turistico/parroquia-de-santa-maria-la-mayor/
Palace Chapel
The old Chapel of Saint John the Baptist was built in the 16th century. Throughout history it has served as a prison, cemetery, museum and chapel. It currently has an exhibition part about the old palace complex. From here you can also access the Roman archaeological sites. Around this building there are various theories since it is the chapel of the old palace of the grand prior, in which some authors have established its origin in medieval times, and other authors establish it in the 16th century, with the development of religious buildings of the old town of Alcázar. It is difficult to establish its origin today since the continuous reconstructions and evolutions in the building have meant that for some seasons it was the hermitage of San Juan, as is recorded in 1804, in which the building is intended to be retiled and its cornice recomposed by being rebuilt. the armor and wall of the Sacristy, which at this time was falling into ruin. This initiative to renovate the building arises because it is on this land where the San Juan cemetery was intended to be located, whose chapel would be part of the cemetery, just as happened with the hermitage of San Sebastián, which would serve as a chapel for the cemetery of the other parish. of the town. At the beginning of the 19th century, the use of this space as a cemetery, called San Juan because it was attached to the hermitage of San Juan (the Palace Chapel), made it holy ground. This cemetery seeks to free the surroundings of the parish of Santa María as a place for burials, in addition to removing them from the urban center for reasons of public hygiene. Even so, documentary sources attest that this cemetery was unused for a long time, possibly because doctors advised against it because it was very close to the urban center. It was in 1808, with the French occupation, when its use was decreed and burials began, until in 1870 the current civil cemetery was built, and in 1883 all the remains that remained in this cemetery were transferred to the new one. The functions of the building have been multiple throughout history, it has been a prison, chapel, hermitage and museum, a few years ago a municipal museum called Fray Juan Cobo was located there. Currently, it is the reception center for visitors of the municipal tourist services, offering a synthetic vision of the history of the city in which elements related to the military Order of San Juan appear with reproductions and original pieces related to the ancient town of Alcázar, some of them recovered in the visitable archaeological excavation located next to the chapel.
Keep of the Grand Prior (13th century)
This tower, also called Don Juan José de Austria, was built in 1284 by order of Fray Fernán Pérez Moçego, then Grand Prior of the Order of Saint John, on the remains of the Almohad citadel. More information at https://turismoycultura.alcazardesanjuan.es/recurso-turistico/conjunto-palacial-del-gran-prior/
Santa Maria Square
To the east of the Collegiate Church is the Plaza de Santa María, a garden space in whose center the sculpture “Canticle to Motherhood” stands out. On its north side we have the old Regiment House, a noble house from the 17th century that is believed to have been owned by the Priory of St. John.
Quixote Street
This street in honor of the most famous literary character in La Mancha today crosses the old Palace Complex that constituted the Torreón del Gran Prior and the Palace Chapel. At its junction with Gracia and Carmen streets, one of the portals of the town's medieval fence was located.
Cistern
In the basement of the Torreón del Gran Prior there is a cistern that is currently accessed from this door.
Inscription
This inscription located above the entrance arch to the Torreón del Gran Prior indicates that it was built in 1284 by order of Fray Fernán Pérez Moçego, then Grand Prior of the Order of Saint John.
Vault
The vault on the ground floor is ribbed with brick inserts between stone ribs, which rests on corbels and is topped with a keystone with plant decoration.
Panel on medieval Military Orders
Read the panel, click on the video and discover the secrets of these orders of warrior-monks!
Panel on the Crusades
Read the panel, click on the video and discover the secrets of the Crusades!
Panel on the border territories and the Reconquista
Read the panel and discover the secrets of the border territories in the Middle Ages!
Video about medieval songs
Click on the video and learn more about medieval songs.
Coffered ceiling with wooden beams
The ceiling of the upper room is a coffered ceiling with wooden beams, although in reality it appears to be a false ceiling that covers a stone vault, since the floor of the top floor is also made of stone.
Access to ground floor
Access to second floor
Access to first floor
Access to first floor
Access to third floor or upper terrace
Vault
The vault on the second floor, now rebuilt, is groined and made of plaster.
Video about the history of the Tower and military orders
Click on the video and you will see a review of the history of the military orders and their relationship with the Grand Prior Keep.
Video about the history of the Tower and military orders
Click on the video and you will see a review of the history of the military orders and their relationship with the Grand Prior Keep.
Bells
The Torreon del Gran Prior functioned as the bell tower of Santa María la Mayor since 1844, the year in which its old bell tower collapsed, apparently due to damage caused by a French cannon shot.
Access to second floor
Video of the battlements of the Torreón
Click on the video and contemplate the surprises that Alcázar de San Juan contains seen from the top of the Torreón.
Introductory video to the Grand Prior Tower (I)
Click on the video and start discovering the fascinating history of the Torreón
Introductory video to the Grand Prior Tower (II)
Click on the video and start discovering the fascinating history of the Torreón
Video about Festivals and Traditions
Click on the video and discover the main festivals and traditions of Alcázar de San Juan
Video about the historical surroundings of the Palace Complex
Click on the video and delve into the history of the Palace Complex of Alcázar de San Juan and its Palace Chapel
