Undoubtedly occupied since Roman times, then colonised by the Visigoths before the arrival of the Umayyads, the region of Alcañices only really began to develop in the second half of the 9^th century, when Alfonso III⁽¹⁾, King of Asturias, conquered it and incorporated it into his kingdom.

In the 10^th century, Alcañices became part of the young Kingdom of León, which was formed following the break-up of the Kingdom of Asturias upon the death of King Alfonso III. From that point onwards, Alcañices no longer appears to be mentioned in historical texts.

It was not until 1211 that Alcañices was mentioned again in a document by King Alfonso IX of León, who gave the castle to the Order of the Temple. This donation was confirmed in 1255 by King Alfonso X. It was under the impetus of the Knights Templar that Alcañices reached the height of its development.

In 1297, a treaty was signed in Alcañices between the kings of Portugal and Castile to end the territorial conflicts that had broken out in 1143, a few years after Portugal declared its independence and became a kingdom. The signing of this treaty was reinforced by the marriage of Ferdinand IV, King of Castile, to Constance, daughter of Dinis I, King of Portugal.

After the dissolution of theOrder of the Temple in 1312, Alcañices Castle was handed over to Alfonso XI, King of Castile.

The only significant remnant of this Templar castle is one of its surrounding towers, which the locals call "Torre del Reloj" (the Clock Tower).