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Guide to Segovia

 

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Segovia is truly a beautiful city, by far one of the best we have seen. The city is the capital of the province of the same name and it sits between the Eresma and Clamores rivers, 12km from the Sierra de Guadarrama. Segovia is a province of Castilla & Leon. its proximity to the high mountains gives the city a cold but invigorating climate. Freezing temperatures are common in the winter months. Segovia is just 90km from Madrid.

 

Segovia has the nickname 'The Stone Ship' due to the location of its Alcazar castle perched on the rocks, resembling the prow of a ship, whilst the Cathedral tower appears as its mast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segovia has an interesting history and this is evident as you explore the city and all its marvellous buildings. One of the most impressive monuments in the city and indeed the whole world, has to be the Roman aqueduct, now adopted as the heraldic emblem of the city. The construction has been attributed to Hercules whilst some legends say the aqueduct was created by the Devil himself. The actual date of construction is not known but it is believed that it was built in the second half of the 1st century A.D or the early years of the 2nd century. It was built of dry blocks of ashlar, with no kind of mortar. The weight of the blocks and the laws of physics alone keep the structure standing. It is 728 metres long with a maximum height of nearly 29 metres and consists of 167 arches. Water flowed along the channel right up until 1884. It was designed to carry water to the city from 15km away.
Segovia's city walls are worthy of a mention, constructed in the 11th century. The walls begin and end at the Alcazar and stretch to a length of 3km. There were originally seven gates in the walls but only three remain to this day. All are worth a look.
 

 

 

 

 

One of the nicest and most interesting places to rest is the Plaza Mayor, where you will find the Town Hall, the Cathedral and the Theatre. There are some very nice restaurants here and several good hotels. Locals meet here to enjoy the sun or shelter from the rain in one of the many nearby bars. A bandstand stands in the centre.

 

The Cathedral (pictured left) stands in Plaza Mayor. The first stone was laid on 8th June 1525. its huge tower with its Gothic spire stands high above the city. The current spire of 88 metres is a replacement after a lightning strike destroyed the original in 1614. The Cathedral is full of treasures, not least of all the stained glass windows that date from the 17th century and the organs from the 18th century. The Cathedral also houses an interesting museum. In the centre of the chapel in the museum is the tomb of Prince Peter, son of Henry II, who was killed when he fell from the arms of his nurse on one of the parapets of the Alcazar.

In the Plaza de San Millan stands an interesting church. The Church of San Millan dates from the 12th century and is the oldest in the city. It was ordered to be built by Alfonso, King of Aragon. It has been noted as one of the finest examples of Spanish Romanesque religious buildings. The interior houses classic examples of statues and paintings.

One of the finest and best preserved churches in Segovia is La Trinidad, constructed in the 12th century on the site of an older church. San Martin is another fine example. Of simple design with a ground plan in the shape of a Greek cross, it has porticoes around three sides which were added at a later date. Inside are various important tombs and paintings of the 15th century. Pictured left is the theatre located in the Plaza Mayor.
Just out of the city you will find the Church of the Vera Cruz, or Knights Templar, pictured right. It was consecrated in 1208 and designated a National Monument in 1919. The ground plan consists of a twelve sided building with a tower to the south. San Lorenzo Church stands in the plaza of the same name and again, is one of the city's jewels. Other churches include San Esteban, San Andres, San Sebastian, San Clemente, San Justo, San Pedro and San Nicolas.

On the outskirts of the city, but clearly visible from the Alcazar is the Monastery of El Parral. Founded by Henry IV of Spain, it has been a National Monument since 1914. The building is spectacular and the gardens are a pleasure. The river runs over a waterfall at the entrance. One of the most impressive features is the altarpiece that stands behind the high altar. Other Monasteries and Convents in Segovia include Santa Cruz la Real, San Antonio el Real, the Convent of Santa Isabel and the Monastery of the Discalced Carmelites.
Segovia has many important palaces but without any doubt the most impressive has to be the Alcazar(pictured above and right). We thought it was the best we had seen in the whole of Spain. Dating back to the 12th century, the Alcazar is visible for miles around the city and it stands in an exceptional position. It takes on an almost fairytale appearance with its many conical turrets and moated walls. It is possible to view the interior and it has to be well worth it.

As you wander the streets of Segovia, you will see some of the most unusual buildings in