Segovia is a town in Spain, with a very long history, and a lot to see. It has three major attractions: a Roman Aqueduct, the Alcazar (a medieval fairytale castle), and a Gothic Cathedral. As well as these, there are Romanesque Churches, Noble Palaces and other notable buildings. It has a commanding presence in the landscape, perched as it is on a limestone outcrop; and its city walls, which are still standing, date from antiquity to the middle ages. It is this historic treasure chest that is the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Old Town of Segovia and its Aqueduct.

See the Aqueduct, Alcazar and Gothic Cathedral in World Heritage Segovia, but don’t miss the churches, palaces and other attractions of the Old Town. [The Alcazar, photographed from the Iglesia de la Vera Cruz in the Eresma Valley]

The Main Attractions of Segovia

When you visit Segovia, these are the 3 attractions that everyone comes to see. Further below we mention other interesting sights that also make the Old Town a World Heritage Site.

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Roman Aqueduct – spectacular entry to the old town

The construction date of the Roman Aqueduct of Segovia is debated – 1^st or 2^nd century AD. But the UNESCO World Heritage listing says, “probably built c. A.D. 50”. It makes little difference in the overall picture; it is very old. And, for being so very old, it is in remarkably good condition.

Even more remarkable is the fact that it was in use up until the late 19^th century. It brought water 14km through an underground channel to reach the town, but it is the aqueduct bridge that really impresses. The last kilometre of the system is built from over 20000 granite blocks, using no mortar. It has 120 pillars, supporting 166 arches, and rises to a height of 28m at the Plaza del Azogueja.

It is considered to be one of the very best-preserved Roman aqueducts there is. No wonder it is the number one attraction, and rates a specific mention in the World Heritage listing: Old Town of Segovia and its Aqueduct .

This 2000-year-old Roman Aqueduct is probably the most famous attraction in Segovia. It is also an important part of its World Heritage listing.

Opening times:
It’s free to view at any time.
Guided tours are available.

And it is indeed a spectacular entry to the old town from the south-eastern end!

Alcázar of Segovia – a fairy-tale castle

It appears to be hanging on top of a crag at the western end of the old city, often compared to the prow of a ship. This prime position means that it has been defensible, and possibly fortified, from early in history. There are some foundations of a Roman fort in the basement.

Begun as a wooden fortress by the occupying Moors, somewhere between the 7^th and 9^th centuries, the first written reference to it as the ‘castle on the hill’ comes from 1120. Later in the 12^th century, it was referred to as ‘Alcazares Castle’ in the archives – a term used at that time to refer to fortresses or palaces built in the Moorish style. It was used as a palace and castle for the Castilian royalty through the middle ages.

Later, it served as a prison for 2 centuries, and then a military academy. It still houses the military archives and museum. Over time, the building has not only changed in function but has also been modified to suit its changes of use.

After extensive damage by fire in the mid-1800s, it was reconstructed in the form you see today. In that respect, you could argue its authenticity, but you can’t help but be impressed by its current beauty – both from afar and up close – even if it is sometimes claimed that it is just a fantasy of the original. Nothing wrong with visiting a fairy tale!

P.S. You will find many references to the Alcázar of Segovia being the inspiration for one or other of the Disney fantasy, fairytale castles. It’s a nice idea, but there seems to be more conjecture than evidence.

Alcazar de Segovia or the Fortress of Segovia. This fairytale castle is one of the main things to see in the city.

Opening times:
The Alcazar of Segovia is open to visit almost every day of the year, except:
December 24 (closed after 2:30 p.m.) and December 25 (closed all day).
December 31 (closed after 2:30 p.m.) and January 1 (closed all day).
January 5 (closed after 2:30 p.m.) and January 6 (closed all day).
The Alcazar Day: normally a Friday in June, fixed each year (closed all day).
It has long opening hours – 10.00-19.30 (April to October), 10.00-17.30 (November to March).

Prices: [current 2019]
Entry to explore the castle alone – €5.50
Take along an audio-guide in your language – €3.00
Climb the Torre de Juan II – €2.50
Guided tours in Spanish are available – €2.00 per person
Guided tours in Spanish, English or French can be pre-booked for groups – €40.00 for up to 35 people
More information – only in Spanish

Segovia Cathedral – the last great Gothic Cathedral in Spain

Approaching the city of Segovia from Avila, Spain’s last Gothic Cathedral dominates the landscape. It is one of the 3 main attractions in this city.

This was the first sight we saw as we approached Segovia. To continue with the ship image of Segovia, if Alcazar is the prow, the Cathedral represents the sails…
Built in the 16^th century, it is considered to be the last Gothic cathedral to have been built in Spain. But what you see here is actually a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical styles.

Some facts:

• it was commissioned in 1525 – consecrated in 1768
• it covers more than 14000m²
• it has 22 chapels, 161 stained glass windows, 167 pinnacles
• the tower was the tallest in Spain at 108m, until 1614, when it was struck by lightning. It’s now 88m.

You can imagine that visiting a church of that size will take some time – we wandered for about an hour, and certainly didn’t see it all, nor did we go up the tower.

Segovia Cathedral up close is just as impressive as from a distance. Its 88m tower stands tall over the city, and you can climb it for an amazing view.

Opening times:
You can visit the Cathedral almost every day of the year, except:
1st & 6th of January
Good Friday
24th, 25th and 31st of December
during Mass on Sundays

Prices: [current 2019]
Entry to the Cathedral, cloister and exhibition halls – €3.00
Add a guided tour to the tower – €7.00
*Free entry to the Cathedral Sundays between 09:00 a 10:30. During this time the exhibition halls will be closed.
More information – also available in English

View from Alcázar de Segovia

Standing in the forecourt of the Fortress of Segovia, looking over the Eresma Valley, you have an extraordinary view of churches, convents and the mint!

Real Casa de la Moneda – the Royal Mill Mint of Segovia

Commissioned by Phillip II in 1583, this Royal Mint operated until 1869 and is claimed as the world’s oldest Industrial Monument. It was completely restored between 2007 and 2011, and now houses 2 museums:

• the Museum of the Casa de la Moneda, showcasing the building and production facilities, which are almost completely intact
• the Aqueduct Interpretation Centre, a modern multimedia and interactive area

It is appropriate that these 2 museums share this historic space because the coins minted here bore a mint mark of the Aqueduct of Segovia.

View from the Castle: the Royal Mill Mint of Segovia in the foreground and Monasterio de El Parral behind it. You can leave the city to see these important sites.

Opening times:
Every day except Monday
Times vary according to weekday and season – check the website

Prices:
A combination ticket for both museums – €4.00

Churches, Monasteries and Convents – outside the walls of Segovia

Also to be seen from the Castle forecourt are:

Monasterio de El Parral

To the right and a little behind the Mint, you can see this closed-order Monastery. It was established in the mid-15^th century for the Order of St. Jerome. It was abandoned in the 1830s during the confiscation but was restored and returned to the same order in the early 20^th century. It’s built in a variety of styles – Gothic, Mudejar and Plateresque – around several cloisters.

Iglesia de la Vera Cruz

The 13^th century Vera Cruz Church was built by the Knights Templar to house a piece of the ‘true cross’. This unusual Romanesque church has an interesting structure; outside it’s a dodecagon, with a tower on the south side – inside it has a circular nave. It’s said to be modelled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The fragment of the true cross is now housed in the nearby village church of Zamarramala.

Convento de Carmelitas Descalzos

The Convent of the Discalced (barefoot) Carmelites, also known as the Convent of St John of the Cross, is across the road from the Vera Cruz Church. It was founded in 1588 by St John of the Cross, who is buried within its grounds.

The view from Segovia’s Alcazar is great, but don’t forget you can venture outside the walls to see these sights up close. Our featured image of the castle, the first in this post, was taken from Iglesia de la Vera Cruz.

View over the Eresma Valley from the forecourt of the Castle. In the far right, you can see the Iglesia de la Vera Cruz, with the Convento de Carmelitas Descalzos on the other side of the road.

From the Alcazar de Segovia to Plaza Mayor – take a walk

Segovia is a small city, which is easy to walk around. There are a couple of ways to walk from the Alcazar to the centre of the town, where you will find the Main Square and the Cathedral. If you choose the Calle de Velarde, it is quieter and has less traffic. Along the way, you will pass some beautiful gardens, and walk through an historic gate. As you get closer to the centre, you can turn right along Calle Descalzas to Calle Juderia Nueva, to visit the Jewish quarter.

Segovia’s Gothic Cathedral dominates the Plaza Mayor, the main square of the city. It covers more than 14000 square metres.

Puerta de la Claustra

Along Calle de Velarde, you pass through the Canonical Neighbourhood and reach the Puerta de la Claustra. It is the last surviving gate of 3 that used to close off the Barrio de las Canonjías. You can see the remains of Renaissance sgraffito. The image of the Pietà above the gateway is a copy of the one in the Cathedral. In this area, there was a printing house, and also a house where the Inquisition was carried out.

Another interesting thing to see, walking through Segovia: Puerta de la Claustra, an old gate that once closed off the canonical neighbourhood. Note the Pietà above the gateway, and the remains of sgrafitto to the right of it.

Plaza Mayor de Segovia to the Aqueduct – check out the side streets

As you make your way from Plaza Mayor towards the Aqueduct, you will find many interesting sights along the way and off to the side that will encourage you to stop awhile.

What to see around Plaza Medina del Campo and Plazuela San Martin

These two interesting spaces have a church as the centrepiece and are surrounded by notable buildings. And it’s not easy to work out where one plaza finishes and the other one starts. Just relax and enjoy the sights. After all, it has been called ‘una de las plaza más bonitas de España’ – one of the most beautiful plazas in Spain.

Iglesia de San Martin

The Romanesque Church of St Martin from the 12^th century is truly the centrepiece of this area of the old city of Segovia. Its arched galleries and Mudejar tower add to its eclectic appeal.

Iglesia de San Martin, a 12th-century Romanesque church on Plaza Medina del Campo, is the centre point of this area of Segovia and is surrounded by historic palaces. With this many attractions in one place, no wonder it is called one of the most beautiful plazas in Spain.

La Casa del Siglo XV – The House of the fifteenth century

It was a former palace of the Tordesillas and is a good example of a noble house. From 1963-2000, it was an art gallery but now appears to be empty and for sale. Hopefully, it will have a new life and its beauty will be protected.

Torreón de Lozoya

Opposite, St Martin’s church tower is the Lozoya Tower, a rectangular tower built in the 15^th century. It forms part of a palace that has Renaissance courtyards, constructed at a later date. It is now owned by the Caja Segovia Foundation and hosts temporary exhibitions, concerts, conferences and other cultural activities.

Plaza Medina del Campo and Plazuela San Martin are surrounded by noble houses, mostly from the 15th century. The Lozoya Tower is a prominent part of one of these palaces.

Palacio de Cascales, a 15th-century palace decorated with sgrafitto – see below for more detail.
In the left corner of the facade, we can see written: “It is not allowed to leave carriages in this square, subject to a fine of 5 pesetas.” – enlarged inset.

Casa de los Solier

The picturesque granite facade of this 15^th century house, crowned with an ornate gallery, was once a post office. It now houses the successful La Casona de San Martin Restaurant.

Murallas de Segovia – Segovia City Walls

The old city is still walled but, over the centuries, the walls and its towers have been incorporated into buildings, which now rise above it in many places. There are a number of gates, which you can pass through to see the city walls and also to enjoy the view of the surrounding countryside.

From Plaza Medina del Campo, we walked down through Puerta de la Luna to view the outside of the walls.

Just a short walk from Plaza Medina del Campo you will find Puerta de la Luna, one of the gates in the old city wall. You can see here that the more modern buildings are set upon the old fortifications.

Other Noble Houses in this part of Segovia

Palacio de Cascales

Also known as Palacio del Conde Alpuente or Palacio de Aspiroz – it was built by Alonzo Cascales in the 15^th century, passed to Conde Alpuente in the 16^th century, and was owned by Aspiroz in the 19^th century. The facade is an example of Segovian sgraffito . It’s mainly decorative, but also hides imperfections in the surface.

Casa de los Picos

The House of Peaks was built towards the end of the 15^th century and is probably the most famous of Segovia’s palaces and noble houses. Its name comes from the fact that its unusual facade is completely covered in granite blocks, carved into pyramid shapes. The story goes that the original owner was a Jew and hence, it was called The House of the Jew. The new owner, in the 16^th century, performed the transformation of the facade to cover the Jewish style, and it was henceforth known as Casa de los Picos.

Among other things to see in Segovia are the noble houses and palaces. Casa de los Picos with its distinctive facade covered in granite blocks, carved into pyramid shapes, is one of the most popular attractions.

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Getting around Segovia

As mentioned above, Segovia is fairly easy to walk around, although it is a bit up and down. We no longer find it so easy to walk all day, so we took a bus!

Juergen had spotted a mini-bus driving past the parking lot, with a sign to the historical centre – #10. So we walked up to the nearby plaza and asked for a bus stop. A woman, who was waiting for the same bus, explained that it went to the Aqueduct, the Plaza Mayor, and also the Alcazar. At €1 each, it was great. We hopped on and took it all the way to the Alcazar. After visiting this site, we walked back to the Plaza Mayor, visited the Cathedral and continued to the Aqueduct.

This bus completes a circle continuously through the day, and you can pick it up in any of those places.

Below are several close-up photos of attractions in Segovia. Please click the thumbnails for a larger photo with description.

Getting to Segovia

A visit to this historic town is both interesting and inspiring. You will find it in the Autonomous Community of Castile and León, in north-west Spain. A visit to Segovia from Madrid, which is less than 100km away, is a very possible day trip, either by public transport, guided tour , or driving yourself.

We drove to Segovia from Ávila, on our roadtrip towards Bilbao.

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