Date of travel: Jun 19, 2024
Perched on a rocky outcrop of Guadarrama mountain range surrounded by serene waters of two rivers Eresma and Clomores, this magical city with medieval flavour is a must visit destination to every traveller touring in Spain.
Situated 90 kms north of Spain, this enchanting city with its Gothic and Romanesque architecture is a treasure trove for history buffs and curious travellers alike.
History –
Originally Segovia was an Iberian settlement in 700 CE but has blend of Roman, Christian, Moorish and Jewish cultures influenced it over the years.
Major Attractions
We travelled to Segovia on a day trip by bus from Madrid and as we approached towards this beautiful city, one of the most impressive and well preserved ancient monuments, the Aqueduct of Segovia, started to unfold in front of our vision.
An UNESCO world heritage site Aqueduct was built in 1 st century AD and is still standing as an iconic symbol of Segovia.
This engineering marvel has 166 arches, each with a height of 95 feet,9 kms long and was made of granite blocks. It is situated at the heart of the city and after coffee break, we climbed at the top of it to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the beautiful city and its stunning surroundings.
We wandered through the narrow streets lined by cafes, shops, bars and we reached vibrant main square Plaza Mayor. Next attraction was the Cathedral of Segovia. Old structure was of Romanesque type which was replaced and restored by present impressive Gothic architecture in 16 th century. This masterpiece of art displays gorgeous façade, intricate stone carvings, soaring vaults and stained glass windows. Also a stunning statue of Virgin Mary and the Tomb of Juan Arias are famous attractions inside this majestic church.
We proceeded towards famous Alcazar of Segovia and reached the Plaza de la Reina Victoria Eugenia, a historic garden square located in front of the Alcazar. The square has a monument to Daoiz and Velarde, heroes of May 1808 uprising against French, a beginning of Spanish war of Independence.
Standing in front of us was the iconic fortress, the Alcazar of Segovia.It is a beautiful and majestic medieval castle which has Gothic, Romanesque and Moorish architectural style and also has served as a royal palace, a prison and military academy.
As we entered the castle, guide took us to The throne room featuring portraits of various kings and queens and also to the armoury. We were awestruck by a stunning style of the ceiling of the hall of the Galley and grandeurs of Royal Chapel. Walt Disney’s Cinderella castle was inspired by this castle and Neuschwanstein castle of Bavaria. Cinderella castle’s gothic style windows, distinctive turrets and towers are similar to those found in Alcazar of Segovia.
We returned via Calle de los Escuederos, a charming vibrant street lined with shops and reached heart of the old town Plaza del Azoguejo where aqueduct is situated where our bus was waiting for us to take us back to Madrid.
Special Activities
Hot Air Balloon ride is very popular to have a bird’s eye view of the scenic city and its great architectural beauty.
Local Cuisine
Other than regular delicious Spanish dishes some traditional dishes are roast suckling pigs (cochinillo) which are very tasty and juicy and a dessert made with marzipan and sponge cake known as Ponche Segoviano.
When to Visit
Best time to visit is April-May and September- October for good climate. Late April and late October to avoid crowds.
How to Reach
Day trips operate from Madrid. Frequent bus and train service are available from Madrid.
