The Roman Empire, You Say...

1-Oct-23

Like much of the Western Iberian Peninsula (as I learned from our Spanish tour guides), Segovia's history dates back to the Celtiberians in the 6th century BCE. It was taken over by the Romans in the 1st century CE, by the Moors in the 7th century, & then finally by Christians in the 13th century. All that to say: this is a VERY ancient city where traces of all those cultures remain. 

Sights Around Town

The most striking of these is the Roman aqueduct built in the late 1st century CE. The aqueduct extended for 9 miles & delivered water to the city until the 1970s! All without mortar - just incredible design & precision in cutting & placing these massive granite bricks, 93 feet high! (NN: We ate at the oldest restaurant in the city which was established in 1785, which is amazing how old things are! We're not in the young American West anymore! The restaurant had photos of famous patrons and from my seat I could see the Queen of Greece and Mick Jagger with his wife at the time, Jerry Hall.)

Aqueduct of Segovia

Heading out on our audio-guided walking tour 

East Side

West Side 

On the opposite side of town, the Alcázar (fortified castle) of Segovia started out as a wooden fort built by the Moors over a Roman foundation. In the early 12th century, the royal family of Castile (lineage of the future Queen Isabella) built a lavish royal palace that would later serve as backdrop to many milestones in Spanish history. It was the site of Spain's first royal archives & armory; the treaty to unify (create) Spain was signed under its roof; Christopher Columbus met with Isabella & Ferdinand here; & it's where two European powers united with the marriage of Philip II & Ana of Austria.

Nick doing his Monty Python impression

Built in a mescla of Romanesque, Gothic, & Mudéjar architecture, the Alcázar was significantly destroyed in an 1862 fire but had been beautifully restored. This medieval fortress (which now 'merely' serves as a museum & military archives) is so picturesque, it almost appears fake! Rather appropriate for a location that inspired Disney's Cinderella Castle.

View from the Tower

Looking Up at the Tower

Looking Down at the Moat (NN: Segovia is built along a ridge and one can see those approaching for miles which is what made it a favorite residence for so many Spanish kings. In the 1500's there was a popular insurrection amongst the patrons, but the revolt stopped at the impenetrable moat and walls of the alcazar.)

Not to be outdone, the Cathedral of Segovia was constructed during the mid-15th century & was the last gothic cathedral built in Spain.