The old-world little frontier town of Alcántara lies above the south bank of the Tagus, which is dammed here to supply a hydro-electric power station (capacity 950,000 kW). The town, originally founded about A.D. 106, was the place of origin of the knightly Order of Alcántara and the birthplace of San Pedro de Alcántara.
Diagonally opposite the Santa María de la Amocóbar, at the entrance into the square, can be found the Neo-Classical church of San Pedro de Alcántara, built on the site of the saint's birthplace. The beautiful Baroque retablo was brought here from the chapel of La Soledad, in a lane behind Santa María de la Amocóbar. It was originally a synagogue.
In the main square, opposite the Town Hall, is the Gothic church of Santa María de la Amocóbar, built in the 13th century on the site of a mosque, with a handsome flight of steps leading up to it. Notable features of the interior are the fine choir-stalls and a number of tombs of Grand Masters of the Order of Alcántara.
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Roman Bridge
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