The most ancient settlement of the Basque Country is the city of Segovia. He owes his foundation to the Romans, who lived there in 90 BC. The Spanish city-museum is small in size and population. But in this small town lies the great history of the country and the entire Iberian Peninsula. It is not only beautiful and rich in sights, today it is the famous tourist center of Spain and an honorable ancient settlement.
Geographical position
Segovia is a city in Spain whose attractions are in the heart of the country. Located in the north-west direction from the Spanish capital of Madrid, the city is located on the Meseta plateau between the rivers Eresma and Clamores in a picturesque valley at an altitude of more than 1000 m above sea level.
Segovia is the capital of the province with the same name, which is located in the largest region of Spain. The region has no access either to the Mediterranean Sea or to the Bay of Biscay. Many tourists are delighted with their European hospitality by the modern Castilian city of Segovia, whose sights are fascinated by the unique hilly terrain, the beauty of the landscapes of the peaks of the Iberian Plateau, amazing nature and the best cuisine of the country.
Climatic features
To understand when it is better to go to admire the sights of Segovia, you should first get acquainted with the local weather conditions. Like the whole state, the city has a Mediterranean climate. Remoteness from water open spaces and the presence of mountainous terrain make it special. The average annual temperature is + 15 o C. Summer is hot and long with temperatures of + 35 o C and above. Winter is warm and mild, air temperature does not fall below zero. There is a possibility of light frosts, which is extremely rare. The wettest month is May, with rainfall of about 65 mm.
A bit of history
Segovia, whose sights indicate its popularity in ancient times, is proud of its honorable age. It is about this city that we can say that stones also speak here. On the local rocks and walls of the fortresses, drawings of ancient Celtic tribes were found, their descendants today live in the vastness of Europe. The ancient Romans made Segovia the main economic center, and in the Visigoth kingdom it was the great capital of the episcopate. Three hundred years the city belonged to Arab tribes and replenished its architectural structures with motives of this culture. The revival and prosperity of Segovia is associated with the name of Alfonso VI the Brave, who owned the lands of the kingdom of Leon and Castile. Neither the plague and the Spanish flu epidemic, nor the famine and invasion of Napoleon broke the settlement. After all, there is an unbending Segovia in Spain, the sights of which to this day speak of past victories and achievements.
Travel Opportunities
The small Spanish town has preserved the unique atmosphere of the past. In every pebble of architectural buildings, an echo of Roman battles, the noise of Arab markets, Visigothic elegance and the charm of flamenco are preserved. Not surprisingly, Segovia, the sights and memory of the medieval royal resort, the residence of the Inquisitor since 1985, has been included in the UNESCO heritage list.
Tourists will have a great time in the Old Town, get acquainted with a huge number of ancient buildings, fortifications, monasteries and cathedrals, palaces and Gothic castles. In addition to historical value, the object has a rich natural potential, captivating with its originality and diversity.
How to get to Segovia?
To get acquainted with the sights of Segovia, you need to decide on the route. To go to Segovia is better from the capital of Spain - the city of Madrid. Ways of communication are designed mainly for land transport. You can get there by comfortable buses, high-speed train, city taxi or your own car. Amazing landscapes outside the window make the trip fascinating, exciting and fast. It takes a trip from 1-1.5 hours, but impressions, emotions and delight gives the whole sea.
Residents of Madrid often spend weekends in the historic heart of the country. Segovia, whose sights I want to return to more than once, is always glad to see guests. Therefore, you will not have to wait long for public modes of transport, as buses run at 30-minute intervals, and trains run at 2-hour intervals.
A reminder of ancient times
There are many memorable structures on the territory of the Castilian city, and their diversity is rich. The symbol of the provincial capital and one of the oldest engineering structures in Spain is the Roman aqueduct.
The settlement’s unique water supply system was built in the form of a two-tier bridge without fasteners and mortar. 20 thousand granite blocks stand firmly and keep under their own weight. The aqueduct of 29 meters high is given by light arches and lightness. They emphasize the importance of this fantastic building. The length of the water supply system, thanks to the efforts of Roman engineers, is the longest in Europe and amounts to a total of 818 meters. The impeccable design honorably flaunts on the coat of arms of the village of Segovia. Description of the attraction will not be required at all for tourists who have seen everything with their own eyes.
Alcazar Palace
Amazing architectural decoration rises above the city. A ship from the distant past, miraculously survived after so many years of existence, is immersed in a sea of emerald greenery. His fate did not indulge in stability and respect. With 1300 years behind him, he was an Arab fort in the 8th century, a royal residence in the 12th century, an officer school and a prison building.
The appearance of the building was changing, architectural styles were combined, secret passages and rooms were added. But no generation dared to destroy the great masterpiece of their ancestors.
Today, Alcazar is one of the most beautiful museums in Spain and Segovia, the sights of which are unique and inimitable, respecting the heritage with respect and honor.
Cathedral of Virgin Mary
The precious religious shrine of Spain is the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary. The main square of the city Plaza Mayor decorates the Roman Catholic temple.
The church is the property of medieval art. The majestic and impressive in size temple has several levels with designating turrets, decorated with small decorative borders, openwork windows with stained placers. Crowns the main tower with a stone spire - a symbol of aspiration for God.
The inner beauty of the cathedral is even more elegant than the exterior. High columns, long corridors, a combination of bronze and marble add power and solemnity to the central altar. Colored stained-glass windows, painted walls and ceilings complement the beauty of the interior of the shrine, and night illumination gives a magical effect and perfection.
Monastery of El Parall
El Paral Monastery is an ancient religious building with a history of about 500 years. The monastery combines several styles in its architecture - strict Gothic, rich Mudejar and royal plateresque. The building was built in full accordance with the rules of the Order of St. Jerome.
The monastery offers wonderful views of the Alcazar Castle and the Eresma River Valley. For more than 100 years, the construction has been a national monument of Spain and the province of Segovia. The sights in the photo taken during the trip will be remembered for a long time.
When to go?
To understand what time to plan a trip to Segovia, you should familiarize yourself with the cultural calendar of the city. Indeed, traditional bullfights, concerts and parades, religious celebrations are a must-have access to visiting Segovia. Festivals of about 500 years help to cheer up, cheer up the soul, unite families. These are the June holidays in the name of St. John and Peter, the autumn - in honor of the Virgin Fuensisla, and the feast of San Frutos is dedicated to the holiest patron of the city.