In Zarza la Mayor, this visitor centre, situated in the former chapel of San Antón, tells you how the Order of Alcántara They called the shots in this untamed frontier; with extraordinary power, they managed resources and staked out their territory whilst ensuring that their neighbours didn’t overstep the mark. Literally.

The centre explains how life was organised in the encomienda: power, land, defence, architecture, taxes… amongst panels, models and the odd game or two, they drop bits of information on you, as if they were telling you anecdotes about colleagues who are no longer with us, but who left their mark.

By the way, do you know what a semicircular arch? Don’t worry, you’ll learn all about it here and understand why it was important for civil and religious buildings.