Tower of the Grand Prior

The Tower of the Grand Prior is the most emblematic monument of Alcázar de San Juan and one of the few surviving examples of Almohad architecture in Castilla-La Mancha. Built in the 13th century, this sturdy square tower rises three floors above the old walled enclosure, offering privileged views of the La Mancha plain from its rooftop terrace. Inside, an elegant spiral staircase connects the different halls housing the Museum of the Order of Saint John, where archaeological pieces, historical documents and liturgical objects linked to the Hospitaller Order are displayed. Also known as the Tower of Don Juan de Austria — after the tradition linking the hero of Lepanto to this city — the tower is the ideal starting point for understanding the strategic importance Alcázar held during the Reconquista and subsequent centuries.