Alcázar de San Juan, Administrative hub in La Mancha, Spain
Alcázar de San Juan is a town in the Province of Ciudad Real that spreads across the flat plains of La Mancha, roughly 150 kilometers south of Madrid. The settlement serves as an important railway junction with connections in several directions and acts as an administrative center for the surrounding farmland.
The settlement changed from a Muslim town called Kasar Banú Atiya into a Christian site when the Knights of the Order of Saint John built a fortress here in the 13th century. Most of the defensive structures were later removed, but the name of the fortification remained attached to the town.
The town takes its name from the fortress that once stood here and still shapes the layout around the central Church of Santa María la Mayor. Visitors walking through the streets near the main square can see how residents go about their daily routines between shops and cafés housed in old buildings.
The railway station connects the town with Madrid, Valencia, and cities further south through regular train services several times daily. Visitors can explore the center on foot, as the main points of interest lie close together.
The Church of Santa María holds a baptism record that points to a possible connection with Miguel de Cervantes in the 16th century. Outside the town, two modern solar thermal plants generate electricity using parabolic trough technology.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Windmills in Campo de Criptana
7.8 km
Windmills in Alcázar de San Juan
2.9 km
Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Campo de Criptana
7.5 km
Torreón de Don Juan de Austria y Museo de la Orden de San Juan
387 m
Casa del Hidalgo
270 m
Church of Santa Quiteria, Alcázar de San Juan
182 mAzulejería de la fonda de la estación de ferrocarril
774 m
Teatro Auditorio Municipal de Alcázar de San Juan
683 m
Burleta Windmill
7.7 km
Church of Santísima Trinidad, Alcázar de San Juan
403 m
Infanto Windmill
7.7 km
Sardinero Windmill
7.7 km
Antiguo Monasterio de Santa Clara
609 m
Church of San Francisco
422 m
Iglesia de San Francisco
401 m
Monument to Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, Alcázar de San Juan
18 m
Antigua Posada de Santo Domingo
167 m
Chapel of the Vera Cruz
7.5 km
Alcázar de San Juan bullring
734 m
Chapel of Santa Ana
7.8 km
Ermita de la Virgen de Criptana
10.3 kmCerro de La Paz
7.6 kmEl Cubillo
406 mCasa Párrafo
152 mDon Quijote y Sancho Panza
9 mPrimera Piedra Ruta del Quijote
30.1 kmAntigua Estación de Tren
30.1 kmRollo
31 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes