Weekend in Segovia, Spain

As a lover of history, the moment I learned about the Roman aqueducts in Segovia, Spain I knew I had to add it to my list of destinations. Outside of Italy there are not too many aqueducts still standing, which is what makes Segovia such a special place. However, the Alcazar Castle and Catedral de Segovia boast impressive history and beautiful sights as well. 

Segovia is a midsized city with about 50,000 inhabitants residing an hour north of Madrid. I had the pleasure of traveling to the city with a teacher from my school who grew up there, the best kind of tour guide! 

On the first full day in the city, we hit all the key spots: aqueducts, cathedral, and castle. My favorite part of the aqueducts is learning how the rocks were stacked on top of one another (you can still see the dimples in the sides from the machine) and how no cement was used to hold it together, just physics! The Cathedral of Our Lady of Assumption and Saint Fructus was built between 1525 and 1577 and houses the remains of Saint Fructus, the patron saint of Segovia. 

Finally, the Alcazar Castle is one of the most visited tourist spots in Spain, standing as a hallmark for the many kings which have lived within its walls. Not only has it been a home, but also a state prison, a military academy, and the Royal Artillery College all existing within its walls since it was built in the 12th century. As a bonus it was also Walt Disney's inspiration for the castle in Snow White. 
 

The next day we journeyed to La Granja (a short drive outside of Segovia) to visit the Royal Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso. With the mountains as a backdrop, King Philip V fell in love with the property during the 18th century and built a palace with expansive gardens surrounding it. The Palace now houses a tapestry museum, views into the previous bedchambers and rooms throughout the property, a chapel, and impressive sculptures and works of art. Then a walk through the large gardens will leave you amazed by the number of grand fountains. 

Though not as large as other cities throughout Spain, Segovia provides a wonderful weekend getaway. We had time to relax while still taking in all the city had to offer! The city continues to be a place which showcases different cultures all within Spain with Roman, Gothic, and Spanish influences.