Magical Segovia

What other word could you use to describe the birthplace of Sleeping Beauty’s castle? Legend has it that the Alcazar in Segovia was the inspiration behind many of Walt Disney’s storybook castles. And it’s no wonder why. With Rapunzel towers, turrets with witches’ hats and a very deep moat, this fairy-tale castle leaves you feeling like you’re in a movie. The current structure is actually a reconstruction, though, because the original was burnt down in 1862.

Side View

Front Entrance

That little speck is me!

Guarding the castle!

Stained glass inside

Her knight in shining armor!

What's under there?!

The views from the Torre de Juan II are amazing and put the town’s hilltop location in perspective.

The cathedral in the distance

As if the Alcazar wasn’t enough, Segovia’s most recognizable symbol is an extraordinary feat of engineering, made even more remarkable by the fact that is was first raised here by the Romans in the 1st century AD. To top it off, not a speck of mortar was used to the hold the whole thing together.

View down the aqueduct with people below

Other side

Up close view

The 728m granite block aqueduct is made up of 163 arches and is part of a complex system of aqueducts and underground canals which once brought water from the mountains to the town. At its highest point it is 28m high!

As if this wasn’t enough, the cathedral in town is quite impressive as well. Started in 1525, this cathedral is the final expression of Gothic architecture in Spain that took almost 200 years to complete.

Cathedral

Plaza Mayor

From a distance...

Another view

I would highly recommend a day trip to this intriguing and fascinating city full of the sights and sounds that Spain is famous for.

Ciao!  ~Linds