Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Segovia: A small town with a big personality

Segovia isn't usually on the top of people's "to visit" list when planning a trip to Spain.  However, this city, with a population of roughly 56,000, is more than worth a long weekend.

Pertaining to the region of Spain known as Castilla y León, the winters can be cold, but the summers are glorious.  The sun and warmth bring people from all over to walk through the Judería, the old zone of the city, with its winding streets and quaint cafés, or to visit one of the many monuments, or even simply to enjoy the amazing "gastronomía".

There are many historical monuments that add to the city's charm.  The most famous is the Acueducto, a Roman aqueduct constructed in the 2nd Century A.D.  It runs through the center of the old part of the city, and is simply breathtaking in both size and beauty.  A path running along the side allows visitors to walk to the top where the views simply cannot be missed.

View from the top of the aqueduct
Another major attraction is the Alcazár de Segovia.  Originally built as a fortress, this amazing construction has served various purposes throughout history.  Visitors can enter the Alcazar which holds various historical artifacts.  The best part however, are the vistas from the top.  Another interesting fact about this magical palace worth noting is that it served as one of the inspirations of Walt Disney's Cinderella's castle.


View of the city from the Alcazar

The Alcazar from a distance

To get a better view of the Alcazar (see picture above) requires a little bit of a hike.  But it's well worth it, and will take you to yet another historical monument of the city, the Iglesia de la Vera Cruz.  One of the ancient churches of the Knights Templar, the round construction and old stone walls transport visitors back to the 12th Century.  The history of this place has been debated, some even believing it originally held the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.  Regardless of the truth, the intriguing Templar church is a perfect stop for "history buffs".  It's not expensive to get in, and while it is small,it's a "can't miss".  Even though the walk is long (30 minutes more or less) the beautiful countryside makes it feel effortless.

Another view of the Alcazar

la Iglesia de la Vera Cruz

On the way to the church


Located just a short bus ride outside of Segovia, the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefono formally served as the summer palace of Spanish royalty.  Built in the 18th century, the building itself serves as a museum.  While the inside may be a little disappointing, the true allure of this "side trip" is the gardens.  Going in the summer months is recommended, as the flowers are in full bloom, and the fountains that are located around the gardens will be turned on.

La Granja

The Gardens





The cathedral in Segovia is easily one of the most impressive in Spain.  It's located in the center of the city, and after a short walk through the Judería, the view of the Cathedral does not disappoint.

The Cathedral
Late June is the ideal time to visit, not only because the weather is wonderful, but also because during this time the Fiestas of San Juan are celebrated.  There are a lot of origins to this feast.  It is celebrated all over Spain (more in the northern regions) with bonfires and festivals.  Originally, the bonfires were meant to "give strength to the sun" to aid in the summer solstice.  Also, the fires were thought to have purifying powers, cleansing both the people and city.  Today, the celebration has taken different forms throughout the various regions of Spain.  In Segovia, the celebrations are one of the main attractions of the city.  Everything from bonfires to live music form part of the "fiestas".  The entire city comes to life, with bustling streets during the day, and lights illuminating the city at night.





The best part of going in late June is by far the food.  During this time, Segovia celebrates one of its "Tapa Concursos".  All the restaurants around the city prepare their best "tapa" and for just 2 euros, visitors can sample the food and have a drink!  The options are endless, and choosing is easily the hardest part.  Participants can sample anything from sea food to beef, and even find some vegetarian options.






Regardless of what you're looking for from a vacation: food, culture, music, or simply a relaxing stroll through the countryside, Segovia has it all!  Spend your mornings wandering the streets, having breakfast at a cafe.  Enjoy an afternoon stroll through the countryside, and top it off with a picnic by the aqueduct.  In the evening, sample the tapas and enjoy the live music.  Sprinkle in the historical monuments, and before you know it, you're in love with the city, and leaving will be harder than you ever expected!







No comments:

Post a Comment