San Benito de Alcántara

Alcántara, Spain

San Benito de Alcántara is a monastery in Alcántara. After the Christian conquest of Alcántara in 1213, the city was given to the military Order of Calatrava four years later. In 1218, they in turn ceded it to the order of San Julián de Pereiro, which changed its name to that of the military Order of Alcántara. In 1488, the order's council decided to build a new monastery in the city. Construction began in 1505 and lasted for most of the 16th century. The order's main architect, Pedro de Ybarra, worked on the design.

In 1706, it was sacked during the War of Spanish Succession, and it was damaged by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. In 1835, it was abandoned and began to fall into ruin. Later it was acquired by Hidroeléctrica Española, which restored it and occupied the structure until 1966. In 1985 it went to the Fundación San Benito de Alcántara.

The exterior's main feature are the three apses (the central polygonal and the side ones semicircular), characterized by large coat of arms. Opposite a three-storey loggia with Renaissance arches, a semicircular auditorium has been built; the classical theatre festival of Alcantara is held here in the summer.

The interior has a nave and two aisles. The cloister, in Gothic-style, has a square plan with two floors. It was built atop an Moorish fortress.

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Details

Founded: 1505
Category: Religious sites in Spain

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Dyani van Loenhout (16 months ago)
Amazing tour guide, really knew what she was talking about. Gorgeous place too.
Serena Garner (2 years ago)
This was a highlight of our trip. The tour guide was very knowledgeable. The building itself is beautiful.
Renae Andersen (5 years ago)
The tour was fabulous, because the tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and clearly enjoying telling the stories about the history of the place.
Laura Chico (5 years ago)
A must... a secret worth seeking out. We got there just in time for a tour by Lucy in English as there was a large group requesting it. Wow wow.... loved every little detail. The courtyard and cloisters are so beautiful.
My Name (7 years ago)
The monument itself is in good conditions. Also you might have a very good view over the side of the city - actually where the old road/path leads you to the bridge.
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