Segovia

 

 

 

It was just a short walk from the official camper parking to the famous Roman aqueduct which leads into the centre and to the Alcázar. It was built in the first century to transport water from Rio Frio over 15 km before arriving in the city. In town, it makes an abrupt turn and then the monument begins to display its full splendour. Here, the aqueduct reaches a height of up to 28.5 m. In total there are 167 arches which were built of brick-like granite blocks without any mortar. It had been kept functioning throughout the centuries and provided water to Segovia until the mid 19th century.

 

 

 

 

The next day, we went into town again to visit the most important buildings, like the Medieval Alcázar and the cathedral. From the aqueduct, we climbed the hill through a street full of little shops to the Plaza Mayor, where many restaurants wait for tourists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Alcázar of Segovia is the most distinctive castle-palace in Spain by virtue of its shape – like
the bow of a ship. It was originally built as a fortress, but has served as a royal palace, a state prison, a Royal Artillery College and a military academy since then.

 

 

After the Alcazar, we first needed a lunch break at the Plaza Mayor before we went into the huge cathedral, which was built in a Gothic style in the mid-16th century – the last Gothic cathedral in Spain! The Gothic vaults are 33 meters high by 50 meters wide and 105 long. For us, the net vaults were the most impressive part of this cathedral.