Segovia, A Walk Through History
At the confluence of the Clamores and Eresma rivers and at the foot of the Guadarrama mountain range is Segovia, a city with an old town declared a World Heritage Site (along with its 818-meter-long aqueduct and the most important Roman engineering work ). With such a presentation … you have to visit it!
The first town in what we know today as Segovia dates back to… 60,000 years! In Neanderthal times there were men in the Eresma Valley. Where the fortress is today there was a moat.
In Roman times it belonged to the convent of Clunia and after the Islamic invasion it was abandoned. The repopulation took place from 1088 thanks to the Christians from the north of the peninsula. The disturbances of the 12th century did not bring it to extinction and its heyday was at the end of the Middle Ages.
A getaway to Segovia
Due to its proximity to Madrid, it is a perfect place to visit it for one or two days. To get there from the Spanish capital, you can take the highway if you travel by car or by city bus. It can also be reached by high-speed train, the journey is only 25 minutes. Do not forget the urban area is pedestrian … no vehicles.
A recommended tour
The historic center of Segovia begins at the Roman aqueduct from which you enter through Calle Real and pass through the viewpoint of La Canaleja. Then you will pass through the medieval square of San Martín and its beautiful Romanesque church.
A few steps further and taking to the left you will come across the Jewish quarter with its Main Synagogue, the Plaza Mayor and the Cathedral of Segovia.
Go into the famous Canongías neighborhood and reach the Castle-Alcázar of Segovia. The walls are also worth visiting and especially its two Gates (San Andrés and Santiago) and the Garden of the Poets.
It is worth noting that the guided tours organized by the tourist office help you not to miss any of its enormous heritage. The walk takes around 3 hours and is the best way to discover every corner and all the history it contains. They also offer a children’s tour for children to learn by playing.
The aqueduct
We have already pointed out, this magnificent Roman infrastructure welcomes the visitor who arrives in Segovia. It was built to bring the guide from the nearby Sierra de Guadarrama to the 1st century.
Its 167 arches made of stone from the mountains are astonishing. Arches made with joined ashlars without any type of mortar, balancing the forces in an amazing way.
Magnificent and beautiful, the aqueduct has survived the vicissitudes of history without having undergone almost any modification. One of the most incredible works from the Roman period that are preserved in Spain.
The quarterdeck
Like something out of a fairy tale, the Alcázar de Segovia rises, with its imposing moat, its beautiful towers and a beautiful keep.
A building that was born as a fortress and ended up serving as a palace, prison and military academy. In its long history it has undergone numerous modifications and reconstructions, which today allows us to visit and admire its wonderful rooms and contemplate incredible views of Segovia and its surroundings from the Juan II tower.
Thematic tourism in Segovia
In Segovia you can enjoy different ways of sightseeing, it all depends on your tastes, how long you stay and who you travel with. Within archaeological tourism you can visit some of the sites in the province, but if you do not want to move from the capital, you can visit the Museum of Segovia.
If you are interested in health tourism, enjoy the spas and SPA. If you go as a family, in addition to the guided tours for children, you can have a wonderful time outdoors in the parks, pine groves and forests with their interpretation centers, museums and castles. As if that were not enough, farm schools and a great variety of handicrafts are offered.
Are you one of those who goes to a place thinking about what to eat? Then in Segovia you will feel “in your sauce”. Local products are prepared on the stove as in the old days. Do not miss some of the most typical dishes such as suckling pig or lamb and, for dessert, a delicious Segovian punch, you will love it!
After such a feast, take the opportunity to do a little exercise on its hiking trails, already traveled since the 14th century. Enjoy the views of the Sierra de Guadarrama, the nature trails, the parks, the rivers and the unpopulated regions. Follow the footsteps of the past. Choose a thematic path and have a truly unforgettable experience.
