Discover Alcañices: History, Festivals and Holiday Apartments

Alcañices combines a distinctive history with its location in the Aliste comarca near the border with Portugal. The town is documented as a fortified, walled Templar villa; at the same time, the Camino Portugués de la Vía de la Plata passes through Alcañices. This creates a destination where historic buildings, scheduled events and a designated route run alongside one another.

History and Buildings

A precise turning point in the town's history is the Treaty of Alcañices: it was signed on September 12, 1297, and established the border between Spain and Portugal. The connection to the Templars is also reflected in the present-day parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, which was built by them.

The fortified ensemble of Alcañices includes four surviving semicircular towers. In common usage, they are known as “del Reloj,” “de la villa,” “del trincherón” and “de la tiacañona.” The Palacio de los Marqueses de Alcañices dates from the 16th and 17th centuries and has now been converted into a retirement home. The Franciscan monastery of Alcañices was also built in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Information Centres

The Centro de documentación de Aliste, Tábara y Alba is located in the Convento de San Francisco in Alcañices. The Oficina de Turismo de Alcañices is in the same building complex; its stated address is Convento San Francisco No. 30 in Alcañices, 49500 Zamora. These two named facilities assign the town's historical and regional connections to different information services.

Location and Route

The geographical setting remains closely connected to the border region: Alcañices is located in the Aliste comarca and near the border with Portugal. The Camino Portugués de la Vía de la Plata passes through the town. Those planning a themed trip can consider the historical border story and the route passing through the town as separate focal points alongside one another.

Events and Experiences

Several celebrations are associated with clearly defined periods. The celebration in honour of the Virgen de la Salud is linked to July 1, 2 and 3. The celebrations in honour of San Roque are assigned to the period from August 12 to 17. The celebrations in honour of San Mateo are associated with the third weekend in September.

The Mercado Medieval is also assigned a specific date: it is associated with the third Sunday in September. A mycological route also includes a visit to an interpretation centre. The various dates and the route with its visit point provide different reference points for planning a trip by time and theme.

When comparing holiday apartments in Alcañices, you can check travel dates, room category and cancellation policies side by side on the respective offer pages.

Other destinations:Santa Croya De Tera, Morales De Toro, El Cubo De Tierra Del Vino, San Cristóbal De Entreviñas, San Ciprián, Benavente, Muelas del Pan, San Vitero

For the higher-level travel overview: Zamora.