Monasterio del Palancar

Monasterio del Palancar is a Franciscan monastery complex in Pedroso de Acim featuring wooden columns in the cloister and an illuminated courtyard. The building includes small cells furnished with wooden beds where friars spent their daily lives.

The monastery was founded in 1557 when nobleman Rodrigo de Chaves donated the Berrocal estate near Palancar Spring to Saint Peter of Alcántara for construction. It became a significant center for Franciscan observance in the region.

The refectory functioned as a space for penance where friars ate while kneeling, with an exception only during celebrations when they could sit. The practice reflected the daily discipline and spiritual commitment that shaped monastic life.

The monastery is located about two kilometers uphill from Pedroso de Acim and can be reached via the N-630 road between Plasencia and Caceres. The walk involves a moderate incline, so visitors should be prepared for a leisurely hike.

The chapel measures roughly 20 square meters with a height of about 3.5 meters, making it one of the smallest religious buildings in the world. This unusual size created an exceptionally intimate space for prayer and contemplation.