Segovia in spain. Segovia - a city of attractions in Spain Segovia a city in Spain

Segovia from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Segovia.

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Segovia is an ancient Castilian city, one of the oldest in Spain: it was founded by the Romans in 90 BC. e. It is located on a rocky hill, so many points of the city offer very beautiful views of the mountains and other surroundings.

Segovia is a small city even by Spanish standards, and the concentration of historical monuments here is simply outstanding - almost the entire old part of the city is one large open-air museum. It is therefore not surprising that since 1985 the historic center of Segovia has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

To fully enjoy the beauty of the city, you should come here with an overnight stay. However, it is worth booking accommodation in advance and, if possible, not for the weekend.

4 things to do in Segovia:

1. Wait until evening comes and find yourself in the real Middle Ages.
2. Take a walk under the famous arches reaching 28 meters in height.
3. Try suckling pig at Meson Candido.
4. Admire the sumptuous Mudejar-style ceilings at the Alcazar Castle.

How to get there

The easiest way to get to Segovia is from Madrid.

• By bus

Buses to Segovia leave from the Spanish capital every day at intervals of 30-45 minutes from the train station near the Moncloa metro station (terminus of the yellow line). The first bus leaves at 6:30, the last at 23:00, the journey takes about an hour. The fare is 7.89 EUR one way, if you take a return ticket immediately, it will be a little cheaper.

There are also regular flights from Coca (11-17 EUR, 1 hour on the way), Salamanca (16-23 EUR, 3 hours), Valladolid (19-26 EUR, 1 hour 11 min.) And Avila (11-15 EUR, 1 hour).

• By train

It will be faster to get to Segovia by train - only half an hour on the way. Trains run every 30-60 minutes, depending on the time of day, the first one leaves at 6:40, the last one at 21:30. The fare is from 12.90 EUR one way, but a couple of times a day you can leave for 9.75 EUR (for example, at 15:55).

• By car

The capital of Spain and Galicia are connected by two main routes: N110 and N603 (the latter is more picturesque). You can get to Segovia by any of these roads, follow the signs for the Segovia exit. Underground parking is available only in a few places in the Old Town, besides, it is difficult to move along the streets by car, so it is better to leave your car at a special parking station (you will have to pay 10-15 EUR for 12 hours) next to Plaza del Azoguejo. The prices on the page are for November 2018.

Find flights to Madrid (closest airport to Segovia)

Weather in Segovia

Segovia Accommodation

Tourists often come to Segovia for only one day - from Madrid or passing through, so many prefer to stop near the train station. This is especially convenient for those traveling by train, but besides the proximity of the station, there are many other advantages: the usual urban infrastructure (there are cafes, supermarkets and pharmacies), there are no problems with parking, and the Old Town is no more than half an hour's walk. There are fewer hotels here than in the historical center, but one of them is worth special attention - Hotel Candido 4 *. It has its own spa, a rooftop swimming pool during the warmer months, and the local restaurant is known for its excellent grilled meats.

Living in the Old City has its own charms: city attractions, including the Roman aqueduct and the cathedral, can be seen from the window, hotels are often located in ancient buildings. For example, Hotel Condes de Castilla 3 * occupies a renovated palace of the 18th century, a double room here costs from 55 EUR per day - inexpensive for the royal chambers!

The bus station in Segovia is located in the historic center, 500 meters from the Roman aqueduct, so many people prefer to come here by bus to immediately be in the city center.

Most of the hotels in the central quarters are located in Plaza Mayor - it is very beautiful there, there are many bars and pastry shops, but there are also disadvantages: it can be noisy in the evenings and at night, and besides, the entrance by car to the center is closed. If you are traveling by car, you will have to leave it outside the center.

All Segovia hotels meet the declared star rating. Staying in a 4 * hotel will cost 70-120 EUR per day, some of them are quite 5 * in terms of service level. A good 3-star hotel will cost 50-70 EUR per night for a double room, and a room in a hostel will cost about 20-30 EUR per night per person.

Shopping in Segovia

Tourists rarely come to Segovia for shopping, for this Madrid is much more suitable, to which it is very close. The only thing worth paying attention to are shoes and bags in souvenir shops.

Calle Juan Bravo is considered the central shopping street.There are many souvenir shops where you can buy genuine leather goods, inexpensive and cute magnets, ceramic cups and plates with city views, and much more. A good selection of souvenirs can also be found in the square near the cathedral.

For groceries, it is best to go to Eroski stores - they are inexpensive and have a good selection of local delicacies.

Cuisine and restaurants

Typical restaurants in Segovia and Castile are called mesones and are the best way to get to know the culinary traditions of the region. One of the most famous mesones in the city is Meson Candido, as well as Restaurante Jose Maria, where there are always a lot of visitors (a good sign for a restaurant!), But there is usually a free table. Meson Duque is one of the most luxurious restaurants in Segovia. At Cafeteria Orly, you can taste local desserts, for example, ponche segoviano (sponge cake with marzipan) is considered the same hallmark of the city as the Roman aqueduct and the cathedral. The best ponche in Segovia can be tasted at Pasteleria El Alcazar in Plaza Mayor.

There are good restaurants in the vicinity of the city, in particular the magnificent (but expensive by local standards) La venta vieja. Also known is Restaurante Bar Marcial, whose cuisine is famous throughout Castile.

The star of the region's cuisine is roasted suckling pig, which can be ordered in almost any restaurant and it will be very tasty, but it is best prepared in the family restaurant Meson de Candido next to the aqueduct. Casa Duque has its own farm and serves delicious Catalan soup (sopa catalana) and beans with sausages and pork offal.

The best photos of Segovia

Guides in Segovia

Segovia attractions and attractions

The UNESCO-listed Roman aqueduct is the main symbol of Segovia. In addition, it is the longest ancient Roman aqueduct that has survived in Western Europe (728 m long, 28 m high). The date of construction is still debated, scientists are inclined to the version that it was erected during the reign of Emperor Vespasian (69-79 AD).

It is worth noting the Alcazar Castle - a magnificent late Gothic cathedral, unique Romanesque churches and traces of the largest Jewish colony in the center of Spain. The towers of the Alcazar offer a truly royal view of the green hills, Castilian villages and the Guadarrama mountain range visible in the distance.

There is a version that it was the Alcazar who became the prototype of the castle in the Disney version of Cinderella.

Perched on a cliff at the confluence of the Eresma and Clamores rivers, the Alcazar of Segovia is considered one of the most beautiful and recognizable palaces in Spain. Initially, it was built as a fortress, but managed to visit the royal palace, and the prison, and the artillery academy. Today it is a popular museum that has opened for its visitors a lot of rooms, halls, enfilades and even one tower of Juan II, from which a majestic panorama opens up. The exposition of the Alcazar Museum has 11 rooms: furniture, interiors, a collection of weapons, portraits of the kings of Castile from the legendary Pelayo to Phillip II.

In addition, in the city, it is worth paying attention to two graceful Catholic monasteries: Santa Cruz la Real (Convento de Santa Cruz la Real), founded in 1218, and El Parral (El Parral, 1447). The first belonged to the Dominican order for a long time, in 1836 it was requisitioned, and today it houses a university within its walls. The second, El Parral, was founded by the Marquis Juan de Pacheco and has features of several styles: Gothic, Mudejar and Plateresque.

The mysterious Alcazar castle has been attracting tourists for centuries. In 1953, it became a museum, and today the labyrinths connecting the palace with the city are being studied. The observation deck on the tallest tower gives you the opportunity to observe the delightful views of the cityscapes below. Each new owner of "Alcazar" rebuilt it in accordance with their tastes. Being the seat of the Spanish kings, after the transfer of the capital to Madrid, it becomes a prison for 200 years.

In the Middle Ages, Segovia is traditionally surrounded by fortress walls. We can observe today several fragments of an ancient wall from the 15th century. By the end of the Middle Ages, Segovia became the main industrial center, where clothes and wool products are produced. The architectural ensemble of the city is finally formed.

The 16th century leaves in the city an example of Gothic architecture - the cathedral. The museum at the temple tells about Flemish and Spanish art of the 16th-18th centuries.

Napoleon's army plundered the city, destroying many historical monuments.

Segovia is rich not only in ancient buildings, but also in glorious, unique gardens. One of them is called "La Merced Garden". It is located outside the city wall. Even those who are not fond of the plant world will be delighted with the plants they see in the garden. Many garden specimens are found only here. The "Alcazar" garden also deserves your attention, the first tree in which was planted in 1816. The fire of 1862 destroys it completely. Only after 20 years are trees planted again, which, after 2 centuries, amaze with their splendor.

The second half of the 19th century brings the city the desired tranquility and marks the beginning of its prosperity. All the troubles and tragic moments were left behind. Today the city claims to be the "European Capital of Culture".

Segovia is also rich in culinary masterpieces: roasted young pig "cochinillo", "morsilla" (blood sausage in all possible variations), bean soup "hudiones de la granja".

Sweets prepared according to the recipes of nuns will not leave anyone indifferent, even those on a diet. The famous "ponche segoviano" (sweet dessert) is in great demand among tourists and locals alike. Many of these "goodies" go home.

Difficult choice of the most important among the most important (what to see)

Start your journey from the main square of Segovia - Plaza Mayor. It is from her that the path begins to many attractions of the city. Among the buildings of the 15-20th centuries it will be difficult not to single out the "Lady of Cathedrals". Walking through 11 rooms of the Alcazar, be sure to look into the Hall of Kings and the Hall of the Rope Belt.

The decoration of churches, internal (pictured on the right) and external, will make you stop your journey for a few minutes to enjoy the beauty of galleries, arches, brick patterns, unique paintings by masters, ancient icons, etc.

Monasteries do not lag behind in their uniqueness and historical value. In the Monastery of San Antonio Real, you can see carved wood ceilings in the Mudejar and Nazari styles. The Marquis of Villene and his wife are buried in this monastery.

The ceremonial of the Order of the Knights Templar in the chapel de La Vera Cruz, built in the shape of a circle, shines with splendor, floral Gothic.

A visit to the Segovia Museum will provide complete information about the culture, economic development of the city and the region, presenting ancient and unique exhibits and finds.

Why Segovia, Spain - there is a huge Roman aqueduct, here is the fabulous Alcazar castle, here in 1474 was the coronation of Isabella of Castile, here the city is included in the UNESCO list and there is a unique atmosphere of the Middle Ages.

After visiting Alcala de Henares, picking up things from our first hotel, we moved to Avila. Our first day of stay in Spain was very eventful and it was decided not to be scattered on the sights anymore, to get to the apartment, settle in and stop by the nearby supermarket for groceries, so that the question of purchasing food within two days (the time of our stay in Avila) would no longer arise ...

The road from the hotel to the apartment was a bit nervous for me.
First: new car, unfamiliar navigator;
Secondly: the traffic around Madrid is very intensive and we had to go, though not in a traffic jam, but in a heavy traffic
and Thirdly: the road was so picturesque (we and El Escorial passed on the mountain and the Valley of the Fallen) that I was constantly distracted, was in doubt - whether we should turn to these sights, or go further. Reason nevertheless won (the weighty arguments of all family members helped) and we were in Avila without stopping, after an hour and a half (130 km). Near Avila, we somehow jumped onto a toll road, where 7 euros were ripped off us a few kilometers away, although I put the navigator on a free route. And here we are in Avila, without incident, of course, we cannot.

Avila, Spain.

Our apartments were located in a large country house, and the house was located on a huge territory, where these houses are apparently - not visible. The GPS coordinates were built into the navigator by me from the printout of the hotel in the booking office, and these coordinates led us - well, not to the apartment, but directly to the supermarket. This I later learned to select the destination in the navigator by street and house number, which would quickly solve our problem, but for now. We did not have the Internet, using it through the phone is not a cheap pleasure, in general, we are still tired and went into a stupor. They started asking everyone on their fingers, but since there were new houses and streets too, people sent us here and there.
There was another way out - to use a small plan from a printout of the apartments, so he helped us out. On one of the streets of this huge cottage village, we met a worker who took us to his foreman-engineer - apparently, he considers him smart. He, already on a small map, using the applied geometry method, drew a line from the clinic, which was on the map to the supermarket, and lo and behold, our street and house were found behind the next bend.
Thanks to the Spanish engineer, teaching really is light!

By calling the hostess and after a few minutes received the keys to our apartments Apartamentos Casaligia 2 , we realized that there was still justice and it rewarded us for our search - we were left alone in a country house, with a beautiful terrace and garden, for two whole days.

Avila - Segovia.

The next morning, having breakfast, having slept, we were full of energy for new exploits. Onward to Segovia!
The road to Segovia is nothing interesting, plain in one word. This time I was wiser and did not turn onto the toll road, albeit a few minutes longer, but free. The free road from Avila to Segovia is N-110. The roads in Spain are toll or free, everything is in excellent condition. The paid one differs from the free one by the presence of several lanes in one direction, the obligatory average concrete overlap from the oncoming lane and the speed limit not at 90 and 100 km, but at 120. Although there are a lot of free ones for these parameters in Spain. Oh, if only all our roads were at least the same as free ones in Spain (just smooth and without holes).
There is apparently a problem with free parking in Segovia, but we were lucky - in the free parking lot, right in front of the cathedral, a car had just left and we happily blended into this void, several more cars had to turn around behind us. A trifle, but nice.

Segovia attractions.

For the sights of Segovia, I have compiled my TOP 7 rating, which reflects the importance and significance of an object or phenomenon for me personally.
Having parked the car (in the photo there is a parking lot to the left of the monument to the chef, butchering piglets with a regular plate), we began our ascent to the city. This cook is not standing in the middle of the road and gutting pigs. Baked suckling pig (milk pig because he hasn't eaten anything other than his mother's milk) is a specialty of Segovia. In almost every souvenir shop we came across a symbol of the city - a suckling pig in the form of magnets, figurines and other things.

Spanish cuisine.

Spanish cuisine is territorially divided into three parts according to the famous Spanish proverb: in the north of Spain they are fried, in the center of Spain they are baked, and in the north of Spain they are stewed. In the center of the country of baking is Segovia. Each province in Spain is like a unique and inimitable restaurant, which is proud only of its national cuisine, full of traditions. The Spaniards, admiring this or that city of their country, first of all note whether they ate deliciously there.
Due to the vegetarian who is in our ranks (I note that this is our 12-year-old daughter, whose feelings we cannot ignore), we could not appreciate this tasty attraction and therefore the roasted pig is my seventh place in the list of city attractions.

The city of Segovia, with a population of only 55,000, is divided into Lower and Upper. The upper city is a huge ship soaring in the clouds with its masts and sails - this is the cathedral and other buildings, with its own keel and with its bow in the form. It even looks like a ship on the map.

Well, like any ship you have to climb the ladder, so we had to climb the ladder.

This ascent was rewarded with beautiful views ... ..

alea Isabella, where you can rest after climbing

and the entrance through the gate to the old part of the city.
The fortress walls securely surround Segovia. The beginning of their construction dates back to the 8th century, but the main part (approximately three kilometers long) was built in the 15th century.

Plaza Mayor.

After passing a couple of blocks, it is only a few tens of meters, after 2-3 minutes we found ourselves in the central part of the ship, on the large deck - the Major Square. On that day, the market was noisy in the square, but there were not so many people.
We will linger a little on the square, as there is an information center on it, where I received a city map and brochures for free, and also who needs a free toilet.
The Plaza Mayor in Segovia is one of the oldest in Spain. It is a typical Castile square, used for both market and performances.
Let's admire the buildings on the square:
In the photo, the Church of San Miguel looks out directly behind the house.
To her right is our information center. On the left is the Juan Bravo Theater of the early 20th century.

To the left is the Town Hall of 1622, where the administration of Segovia is located, with two turrets on the sides and in the middle of the clock.

Plaza Mayor my compliments and humble fourth place.

Cathedral, Segovia.

In the very corner of the square there is a cathedral, where all the eyes and camera lenses of newcomers to the square are directed.
To the majestic cathedral, my honorary third place.

The old cathedral was turned into ruins in 1520 as a result of the struggle for the throne, connected with the death of Isabella. The new king of Spain, Charles V, who was at that time the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, issued a decree on the construction of a new one.

The construction of the cathedral was completed in 1571 by Charles V's son, Philip II. The cathedral marveled, I could not resist the temptation to enter it, I really liked it outside.
Opening hours: in spring and summer 9-00 - 18-30; in autumn and winter 9-00 - 17-30. On holidays and Sunday 9-30-13-15, and from 13-30 to 17-30 free.
You can enter the cathedral for three euros for an adult and one child.

The cathedral justified my expectations. My son and I, for another half hour, walked around the corners of the cathedral, breathing in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. And the wife and daughter, at this time, wandered through the nearby shops, of which there are many.

The cathedral now houses a museum created in 1824 by the Bishop of Segovia.

Imagine this picture - in 1474, people crowd around the cathedral and the platform in the center of the open-air square, where Isabella of Castile stands. The photo below was taken at the Alcazar.

Isabella of Castile.

She is first declared queen, and the procession slowly begins to move. The sword of the state is carried in front of Isabella, the flags of Castile and Leon are flying around, and she goes to the cathedral, where she is greeted with singing and the future coronation to the throne. This event, unfortunately, did not take place in the current cathedral, but in the old one, which was destroyed.

Segovia is the capital of the Castile and Leon autonomy at the foot of the Sierra Guadarram, located just 90 km from Madrid. The whole of Segovia is included in the UNESCO list thanks to the famous aqueduct, the fabulous Alcazar castle and ancient Romanesque churches of the 12th century. There is no other city in Europe to find so many Romanesque monuments.

You can see the beauty of the city in this video:

The local cuisine beckons with the most tender baked suckling pig with red wine. Residents of Madrid are happy to spend their weekends in Segovia, enjoying local delicacies at a non-metropolitan price.

How to get there

Photo: Detailed map of Segovia with attractions

Segovia is very easy to get to from Madrid:

• High-speed train - about 30 minutes, 13-25 € one way;
• Train - about 2 hours, from 8.5 €;
• By bus (la Sepulvedana, every 30 minutes) from Moncloa metro station - about 1 hour, from € 9.

We advise you to choose the bus trip, as a high-speed train ride will take you to the Segovia Guiomar station, which is quite far from the city (5 km). But the bus station, where the bus arrives from Madrid, is located in the city center (not far from the aqueduct).

When to go

Segovia has hot summers and fairly cold and dry winters. The hottest months are July and August (30 degrees), and the most comfortable months are from April to June and September to October. The months with the least precipitation are June-September, when only 2-3 rainy days can fall during the entire period. The rainiest are May and October.

History

Excavations suggest that 1000 BC. Celts lived on the territory of the city, who gave him the name Segobriga, which means "city of victory". In the 2-1 century BC. Segovia was occupied by the Romans and prospered from the extraction of a special lapis lazuli, which was used to make windows at the time. The Romans left behind a grand aqueduct that supplied water to the city.

In the 8th century, the Moorish period began, and Segovia became part of the Cordoba Caliphate. The city, freed from the Moors, served as a royal residence from the 12th check, for which an Alcazar was erected on the top of the mountain.

In the 16th century, Segovia flourished due to the well-established production of woolen fabrics. But inflation, provoked by cheap gold and silver from the New World, in the 17th century caused a crisis, and epidemics - a decrease in the population to 8 thousand people (from 27 thousand). Segovia is now one of the most attractive tourist cities in Spain and a UNESCO heritage site.

sights

Photo: Alcazar Castle in Segovia

The Alcazar of Segovia differs from other Spanish castles - its round pointed towers are like masts, and the castle itself resembles a ship. Today, the Alcazar works as a museum, where 11 halls and the Juan II tower are available to tourists. This fairytale castle became the prototype for Disney's "Sleeping Princess" castle.

The 12th century church of La Vera Cruz was founded by the Knights Templar. Its foundation has the shape of a 12-sided, which is a great rarity in architecture. Located on the other bank of the Eresma, it is a little apart from other monuments. On the other hand, it is next to the Alcazar, so it can be included in the route.

Photo: Church of La Vera Cruz in Segovia

The 12th century Church of San Andrés is located right on the way from the Alcazar to the Cathedral. It is noteworthy that the Mudejar style bell tower and the church façade have survived to this day in their original appearance.

The Segovia Cathedral (Catedral de Santa Maria de Segovia) of the 16th century is a huge building on the Plaza Mayor, 105 meters long, 50 meters wide and 33 meters high with aisles (bell tower 88 meters). It represents the last Gothic note in Spanish architecture, as it was built at a time when Europe was already conquered by the Renaissance style. The interior decoration creates the impression of a palace; the beauty of the jasper and marble altar delights.

Photo: Cathedral of Segovia

The Church of San Esteban of the 12th century, although closed to the public, attracts by the fact that it has a very high bell tower of 56 meters.

Ancient Roman aqueduct 1st c. AD Is an engineering miracle that was included in the UNESCO list in 1985. The aqueduct impresses with its ideal proportions and a sense of lightness of construction, although it is 29 meters high, 818 meters long and built of natural stone. 20,400 granite blocks forming 167 arches were laid without the use of mortar, or relying on gravity.

The House of Picos (Casa de los Picos) of the 15th century is surrounded by pyramids, which attracts tourists. There are many interesting palaces in the area: Los del Rio, Torreajero and the mansion of Count Alpuente.

Photo: House of Picos in Segovia

Iglesia de Santos Justo y Pastor) from the 12th century is a charming example of Romanesque architecture with a special charm that is created by unique ancient paintings. The temple is named after the two children of Eustace and the Pastor, who were executed in 306 on the orders of Diocletian for the Christian faith.

Photo: Church of St. Eustace and the Pastor

Church of San Salvador near San Justo, built in the 12-13th centuries, destroyed and rebuilt again in the 16th century. The church, surrounded by cypress trees, has beautiful architecture, inside there is a Romanesque font and valuable paintings. Here you can take good panoramic photos of the city.

The 13th century Church of San Clemente next to Plaza de la Tierra is a magnificent example of Romanesque architecture with powerful walls, stone vaults and arches. Inside there are huge columns, a modest altar with a crucifix and beautiful stained glass windows.

The 12th century Iglesia de San Millan is one of the best preserved examples of Romanesque architecture, built by the Aragonese king Alfonso I the Warrior.

Photo: Church of San Millán in Segovia

The Monastery of Santa Cruz la Real from the early 13th century stands a little apart from other attractions. But the building that now houses the university is noteworthy, especially its graceful main entrance.

The Monastery of Santa Maria del Parral is located on the outskirts of the city. The monastery of the Hieronymite Order combines Gothic, Plateresque and Mudejar.

Museums

Tourists can visit numerous museums of Segovia: Museo Casa del Sol, Royal Mint, Ignacio Zuloaga Museum, E. Vincente Museum of Contemporary Art, Alcazar, Cathedral Museum and others.

Attractions in the vicinity

Photo: Royal Residence in La Granja de San Ildefonso

La Granja de San Ildefonso is a town 11 km from Segovia, where a former royal residence with a huge Versailles-style park with 28 fountains is located.

Pedraza is a medieval town 40 km from Segovia. It is worth visiting in the first half of July for concerts with live music and romantic candles.

Coca is a city 50 km from Segovia with a charming Mudejar castle, considered one of the most beautiful in Spain.

Photo: Castle in the city of Coca

One of the best viewing platforms and places for photos is Mirador de la Pradera de San Marcos near the Alcazar. Here you can take a daytime shot of the castle and a stunning evening shot of the castle with lighting. The Canaleja viewpoint (Mirador de la Canaleja) is located near the Cathedral and offers wonderful views of the city.

Shopping

The best place to shop is Calle Juan Bravo, full of shops with magnets (€ 2), cups, postcards (around € 0.4), etc. Souvenir ceramic tiles and plates are especially popular. Stylish bags and other accessories can be found at Plaza de la Rubia. For real fashion shopping, it's still better to go to Madrid.

The purchase of good products at low prices can be carried out by the Eroski retail chain. Here you can buy food for traveling around the city, as well as a presentation from Spain to your loved ones.

What to do in Segovia

10 cases in Segovia:

1. Walk through the huge arches of the Roman aqueduct.
2. Taste suckling pig in the restaurant directly below the Meson de Candido aqueduct.
3. Admire the sheer scale of the Cathedral.
4. Visit the fabulous Alcazar and its museum.
5. Explore all the Romanesque churches of the Old Town.
6. Take a spectacular photo with a backlit view of the Alcazar.
7. Treat yourself to Segovian specialty sponge cake with marzipan.
8. Buy ceramic souvenir ceramic plate into the collection.
9. See the 12-sided church of La Vera Cruz, built by the Knights Templar.
10. Go to La Granja de San Ildefonso with the royal residence or Coca with the most beautiful castle in Spain.

What and where to eat

Photo: Roasted suckling pig

The "star" of this region's cuisine is the fried suckling pig that melts in your mouth. There is even a tradition to cut it with a clay plate, breaking it right there, proving how delicate this product is. An excellent pig can be tasted in the family restaurant Meson de Candido next to the aqueduct. But if you are not too lazy to search, then find this place - EL FIGÓN DE LOS COMUNEROS.

Also try Catalan soup (sopa catalana) and large beans with sausages and pork offal. All this and many other Castilian dishes can be ordered at the Casa Duque restaurant, which has its own farm.

A traditional dessert in Segovia is Ponche de Segovia (sponge cake with marzipan). Stop by Ponche segoviano with a huge selection of desserts and delicious coffee at great prices.

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The Romans were the first to understand the value of this place: the Plaza de Azoguejo is still crossed by a 29-meter aqueduct. When the periods of the rule of the Visigoths and the Moors had passed, Segovia began to rule itself, for in 1088 the Castilian king Alfonso VI transferred his court here. This was the beginning of a flourishing, embodied in the appearance of more than forty Romanesque churches. Segovia reached the zenith of fame in 1474, when Isabella the Catholic was proclaimed Queen of Castile in the Cathedral of San Miguel. Under the Hapsburgs (XVI-XVII centuries) the city fell into decay and was revived again only in the 18th century.

What to see

The old town of Segovia is incredibly interesting, so go wander the streets admiring the many churches, towers and mansions that are brought to life by the many storks. The center of the old town is the Plaza Mayor, half surrounded by galleries, filled with street cafes with the huge cathedral hanging over them. This is a great example of flaming Gothic. The high naves contain amazing rarities, in particular, the main Baroque altar by Andrea Sabatini (1480-1530) and the sculptural group "Entombment" by Juan de Juni in the side chapel of the south aisle. The choir and covered galleries are preserved from the cathedral, which was destroyed during the communeros uprising (1520-1521) against Charles V.

From Plaza Mayor, follow Calle Infanta to the most spectacular square in Segovia, Plaza de San Martin. A stepped area surrounds a statue of the local hero Juan Bravo, in the shadow of the magnificent Church of St. Martin. Like most of the city's churches, it is only open during services, but you can admire its mudé har tower and Romanesque capitals at the entrance. The elegant building of the royal prison stands nearby (XVII century), now a public library, and opposite, across the square, a tower rises (XIV century) Torreón de Lozoya (Plaza de San Martin, tel. 921 46 24 61, open from 19.00), where exhibitions are currently held. A little further, there is a 15th century mansion. Casa de los Picos (Calle Juan Bravo, 33) with a facade adorned with faceted "diamonds" from granite. Now there is a school of applied arts. Many facades are decorated with plaster relief patterns (esgrafiados), including Alondig, i.e. A "public barn" where the municipal archive is now kept. Like the neighboring Palacio de Aspiros (Plaza Platero Oquendo), it is a typical example of 15th century architecture.

The main attraction of Segovia is undoubtedly the Alcazar Castle, whose towers rise like a mirage at the western end of the rocky plateau at the confluence of the Clamores and Eresma rivers. The palace owes its unusual appearance to King Philip II of Habsburg. During his reign, the original medieval building was modified and the roof bristled with tiled turrets. After the fire in 1880, restoration was carried out, giving the building a more theatrical look. As a result, the Royal Artillery Museum was located here. Follow the signs: from the Medieval Reception Hall, where the original lattice windows, to the exquisite Mudejar Throne Room. See tapestries, antique furniture, paintings, beautiful coffered ceilings (especially the one in the chapel) and collectible weapons. Do not forget to go up to the observation deck of the main castle tower, where 150 narrow steps lead from the ticket office, and pay attention to the turrets of the ramparts - they are so theatrical!

Neighborhoods of Segovia

Abode of kings

The outskirts of Segovia are also filled with monuments related in one way or another to the kings. The finest of these is the Palazzo San Ildefonso de la Granja, 11 km southeast on the N601 highway, in an excellent location at the foot of the Sierra Guadarrama mountains. Launched in 1721, the palace reflected Philippe V's nostalgia of Bourbon for his grandfather's palace in Versailles, France. It is a mixture of Spanish Baroque with French Neoclassicism. The luxury of the furnishings is emphasized by the decoration: marble, gilded stucco and velvet are complemented by Flemish tapestries of the 16th century and shining candelabra. At the Royal Glass Factory (Paseo del Pocille 1, tel. 921 01 07 00, closed Sun 12 noon in winter and Mon) you can see the work of glass blowers and an exhibition of antique glass. At the palace, French landscape masters have laid out a magnificent park, which, like Versailles, is filled with statues and fountains.

The second wife of Philip V, Isabella Farnese, hosted the royal palace of Riofrio, 7 km south of Segovia on the N603 highway. It is more of a country house than a palace, surrounded by 700 hectares of beautiful oak forests. Inside are masterpieces by Ribera, Velazquez and Rubens.

Sierra de Guadarrama

In summer, the mountain range along the Madrid-Castile-León border, which includes granite cliffs, river streams, oak and pine forests, attracts many of the Spanish capital's heat-affected inhabitants. In winter, the Sierra with its highest peak, Peñalara (2429 m) is a ski resort with popular and affordable destinations such as Navacerrada, Valcotos, Valdeschi and La Pinilla. For hiking, you can use the Valsain pine forest, 8 km south of La Granja, and the high slopes near the abandoned fortress of Manzanares el Real.