Segovia that is a city of central Spain is located in the central part of the province of Castilla. It’s an ancient and elegant small town, half of which is a mountain and half of which is a plain. It is called “the ancient city of Rome”. Segovia is known for its 2000-year-old Roman aqueduct and the roast suckling pigs. The ancient city and the aqueduct are listed as world cultural heritage. The city is definitely suitable for those who love history, love architecture, love to walk, love slow life, and of course, also for meat lovers.
1. Roman Aqueduct
The Roman aqueduct was built in the era of ancient Roman Trajan, and is still intact. The Segovia aqueduct is made of khaki granite and is quite solid. The aqueduct is 813 meters in length and is divided into two layers. It consists of 148 arches and is 30.25 meters above the ground. The original purpose of the aqueduct constructed by the Romans was to introduce the water of the Frio Rive into the city. Therefore, ancient Roman engineers dredged a canal with an average slope of 1%. The only natural obstacle of this great project is how to cross the Clamor River. In order to cross the river, they had to use large pieces of masonry that were in four parts. The water channel consists of a double arched hole supported by 128 columns. This amazing double arched building is a pride of Segovia.
2. Segovia Cathedral
The Segovia Cathedral was built in the highest point of the ancient city of Segovia during the reign of Carlos V. in 1525 by the architect Juan Gil de Hontanon. It was built in the old site where the original Romanesque church (built in 1520) was burned. The newly built church also utilized some of the remaining of the original old church. The church was officially open in 1678. An altarpiece called “Compassion” in the church was produced in 1571 by Juan de Huone. The elegant Gothic church is known as the “Queen of the Cathedral”.
3. Segovia Castle
Alcazar Castle is located at the intersection of the Eresma River and the Clamores River. The castle in the Disney cartoon “Snow White” is based on this castle. It is located at the western end of the city of Segovia. Built on the cliff, Segovia Castle has an excellent view for the strategic considerations. There is a moat more than 10 meters deep at the entrance to prevent the enemy from attacking. During the Roman rule, the castle was reinforced. In the castle, There are traces of Moorish culture everywhere such as the complex decorations that are common in the Moorish culture painted on the plaster in bright colors. The most worth visiting is Sala de las Pinas whose ceiling is decorated with 392 pineapple-shaped stalactites. A three-dimensional sculpture on the stone pillar in the King Room tells the story of the bloody battle of 52 kings in Spain’s lost land retreat.
4. Martin Square
St. Martin Square is the most attractive square in Segovia and the bronze sculpture in the middle of the square is the hero of Segovia – Juan Bravo. People who used to live here are very rich, and the mermaid statues of a fishtail on each pillar of the church connecting the square are different, so the square is also called “the square of rich man” , “Mermaid Square”. There are the 12th-century St. Martin’s Church and the Roseau Tower built in the 14th century surrounded the square.
5. Mayor Square
Mayor Square is the heart of the ancient city of Segovia and the surrounding buildings are very eye-catching. On the east side of the square is a Gothic building with Romanesque elements – the Miguel Church, which is an inconspicuous earth-red church with beautiful colored spires. There is the Segovia City Hall built in 1610 and the Juan Bravo Theatre built in 1917 surrounding the square. The most beautiful building is the Segovia Cathedral which is known as the “dowager in the cathedral.”
6. Martin Cathedral
The St. Martin Cathedral built in the 12th century combine the Mudhar-style towers and arched buildings with Romanesque semi-circular arches. The beautiful arcade is higher than the street with a row of stone pillars supporting each arch, and each stigma is engraved with different patterns. The middle part of the church was built in the 14th century with red brick material. The inner nave is Romanesque and the apse is baroque, which fully demonstrates the mix style of the church.
7. Roseau Tower
The Roseau Tower built in the 14th century is also in the Mudhar style. This tower was originally used as a defense building. The tower was once used to prisoners and it has a gloomy and mysterious beauty. An attraction that is ignored if you don’t pay attention but it tells the story in its way.
8. San Antonio de Ral Monastery
The San Antonio de Ral Monastery was originally a royal palace that has a Gothic style exterior and a Mudhar-style cloister and an extremely rich ceiling. The monastery was once the summer retreat of Anliku IV. The design of the monastery’s zenith combines the Gothic and Mudhar styles. The exterior is magnificent with a high appreciation value.
9. San Miguel Church
San Miguel Church is located next to the Mayor Square. It has a beautiful colored spire and is a Gothic red church with Romanesque elements. It used to be the site where Isabella I was crowned the Queen of Rastilla, but the church now you see was not the one that Isabella I declared to inherit the throne. The old church collapsed in 1532 and the church at present was rebuilt in 1558.
10. La Granja
La Granja is located 11km southeast of Segovia. It is located in the beautiful natural scenery at the foot of the Guadarrama Mountains. There is a palace built in the 18th century and a wide garden. There is fresh air and the historic castle. The internal decoration is full of fun. Whether it is the lamp on the head or the floor under the feet, maybe it was imported from the neighbors for hundreds of years.
