Alcázar de San Juan

Alcázar de San Juan lies on the plains of La Mancha and takes its name from the Order of Saint John, whose great priory was based here. The tower of the Grand Prior recalls the order's authority over the town. In the sixteenth century Alcázar became the seat of its priory of León, while the Franciscan convent founded in 1532 became a place of learning. In 1770 the Grand Prior, Infante Gabriel, ordered a new hospital to meet the needs of the town.