San Benito de Alcántara facts for kids
The Monastery of San Benito de Alcántara is a historic building in Alcántara, a town in the province of Cáceres, Spain. It was once home to a special group of knights called the Order of Alcántara.
Contents
History of the Monastery
Building a New Home for Knights
After the town of Alcántara was taken back by Christian forces in 1213, it was given to a group of warrior monks known as the Order of Calatrava. A few years later, in 1218, they passed it on to another group, the Order of San Julián de Pereiro. This group then changed its name to the military Order of Alcántara.
In 1488, the leaders of the Order of Alcántara decided they needed a new, grand monastery in the town. Building work started in 1505 and continued for most of the 1500s. A skilled architect named Pedro de Ybarra helped design this important building.
Times of Trouble and Restoration
The monastery faced tough times over the centuries. In 1706, it was attacked and damaged during a big conflict called the War of Spanish Succession. Later, in 1755, a massive natural disaster, the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, also caused damage.
By 1835, the monastery was left empty and started to fall apart. Much later, a company called Hidroeléctrica Española bought it. They worked to fix it up and used the building until 1966. In 1985, the monastery was given to the Fundación San Benito de Alcántara, a foundation dedicated to its preservation.
Exploring the Architecture
Outside the Monastery
The outside of the monastery has three rounded sections called apses. The middle one has many sides, and the ones on the sides are shaped like half-circles. These sections are decorated with large coats of arms, which are like family crests or symbols.
Right across from the monastery, there's a three-story loggia. This is like a covered walkway with arches, built in the Renaissance style. Next to it, a round outdoor theater has been built. In the summer, a festival of classical plays is held here.
Inside the Monastery
The inside of the monastery has a main hall called a nave, and two smaller aisles on either side.
The Cloister
The cloister is a special open courtyard with covered walkways around it. It's built in the Gothic style and has a square shape with two levels. Interestingly, this cloister was built on top of an old Moorish fortress, showing how different historical periods built upon each other.
See also
In Spanish: Convento de San Benito (Alcántara) para niños
