Alcázar de San Juan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alcázar de San Juan
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 Alcázar de San Juan
Location in Spain
Alcázar de San Juan
Location in Castilla-La Mancha
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| Country | Spain | ||
| Autonomous community | Castile-La Mancha | ||
| Province | Ciudad Real | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 666.78 km2 (257.45 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 644 m (2,113 ft) | ||
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 30,686 | ||
| • Density | 46.0212/km2 (119.1943/sq mi) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Alcazareños | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
| Postal code |
13600
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Alcázar de San Juan is a city in Spain. It's located in the Province of Ciudad Real, which is part of the Castilla–La Mancha region. This city sits on a flat area called La Mancha. For many centuries, from the 1200s to the 1800s, Alcázar de San Juan was closely connected to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, a group of knights. In the 1800s, it became a very important place for trains.
Contents
Exploring Alcázar de San Juan's Location
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The city of Alcázar de San Juan is found on a large flat area called La Mancha. It is about 650 meters (2,130 feet) above sea level. Two rivers, the Cigüela and the Záncara, flow near the city. They are branches of the Guadiana River.
Around the city, you can find several salty lakes that don't flow into the sea. These include the Alcázar de San Juan lagoon complex, with lagoons like Camino de Villafranca, Las Yeguas, and La Veguilla.
What's in a Name?
The name "Alcázar" comes from an old Moorish fortress. In Arabic language, "اَلْقَصْر" (al-qaṣr) means "the castle" or "the fortress." Later, knights of St John guarded this fortress. "San Juan" is the Spanish name for Saint John.
In the past, the city was known as "Alcázar de Consuegra."
A Journey Through Time: Alcázar de San Juan's History
The Middle Ages
After the area was conquered by Alfonso VI, and then by the Almoravids, it was later taken back by Christian forces. In 1150, Alcázar was given to three knights. One of their heirs later gave the small village to the Order of Santiago. This order then traded Alcázar with the Order of St. John for another village called Criptana. This is how Alcázar became known as "Alcázar de Consuegra," as it was part of the Priory of St. John, which was based in Consuegra.
In 1241, Alcázar was given a special document that allowed people to settle there. In 1292, Fernán Pérez, a leader of the Order, gave Alcázar the right to be a town. This was confirmed by King Sancho IV and later by King Ferdinand IV in 1300.
Modern Times
By the early 1500s, Alcázar grew into an important town within the Priory of St. John. This was happening while its old capital, Consuegra, was becoming less important. The territory of the priory was split for a while but was reunited in 1566.
Trains first arrived in Alcázar de San Juan in 1854. This was part of a railway line connecting Aranjuez to Almansa. Later, in 1861, another line opened, connecting Alcázar to Manzanares and other towns.
Because of its growth and importance, Alcázar was officially given the title of "city" in April 1877.
During the Spanish Civil War in 1936, a famous military unit called the Third Mixed Brigade was formed in Alcázar de San Juan.
Getting Around: Transport
Alcázar de San Juan is well-known as a major railway hub. It is a key point on two important train lines: the Madrid–Valencia line and the Alcázar de San Juan–Cádiz line.
Since 2015, the city has been working on a big project to build a "dry port." This would be a special center for moving goods, helping to connect different types of transport like trains and trucks.
Powering the City: Energy
There are two solar thermal power plants located in Alcázar de San Juan. These plants, called Manchasol-1 and Manchasol-2, use special mirrors called parabolic troughs to collect sunlight. They turn this sunlight into energy, producing nearly 50 megawatts of power each.
What to See: Main Sights
Alcázar de San Juan has many interesting places to visit:
- Old windmills
- The Tower of the Grand Prior, built in the 1300s
- The Church of St. Mary Major, built between the 1200s and 1400s
- The Church of St. Francis of Assisi, built between the 1300s and 1400s
- The Convent of St. Claire, built in the 1500s
- The Municipal Museum of Alcázar de San Juan, which is in a building from the 1500s
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Old windmills
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Holy Trinity Church.
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Saint Francis Church.
Friends Around the World: International Relations
Alcázar de San Juan is twinned with other cities, which means they have a special friendly relationship:
- Mâcon, France (since 1980)
- Guanajuato, Mexico (since 2014)
Famous People from Alcázar de San Juan
- José Antonio Redondo, a professional cyclist.
- Ángel Lizcano Monedero y Esteban (1846-1929), a Spanish painter and illustrator.
See Also
In Spanish: Alcázar de San Juan para niños
