campese
Segovia, Spain - views over the city
Dramatically situated at a height of over 1,000m (3,275 ft), Segovia is a provincial capital lying in the autonomous region of Castilla y León and about 90km north-west of Madrid. Although its population is only 57,000, Segovia is of immense cultural importance; reflecting its rich and diverse history dating back more than 2,000 years when, according to legend, the city was founded by the Eyptian, Hercules, great-grandchild of Noah. For anyone visiting Segovia, there are three "must-see" destinations starting, inevitably, with the city's most famous and emblematic monument, the 'Acueducto de Segovia'. Located to one side of the much-visited 'Plaza del Azoguejo', the aqueduct is the defining historical feature of the city, dating from the late 1st or early 2nd century. Acknowledged as the most important Roman civil engineering work in Spain, it consists of about 25,000 granite blocks held together without any mortar, and spans 818 meters with more than 170 arches, the highest being 29 meters high. A truly monumental feat of engineering acknowledged in 1985 when Segovia and its Aqueduct were given 'World Heritage' status by UNESCO. Then there's the 'Alcázar de Segovia', the royal palace located on top of a rock between the rivers Eresma and Clamores and documented for the first time in 1122, although it's likely that it existed in earlier times. It was one of the favorite residences of the kings of Castile, built during the transition from Romanesque to Gothic and Mudéjar decor, highlighted by its amply proportioned rooms. The building is structured around two courtyards with two large towers, the 'Keep' and 'John II'. The Alcázar was a favorite residence of 'Alfonso X the Wise' and Henry IV. 'Isabella the Catholic' was crowned Queen of Castile in the palace's main square. Devastated by fire in 1862, it was later rebuilt and now houses the 'General Militar de Segovia' archive and the Museum of the Royal School of Artillery. The views of the neighbouring countryside and other parts of the city from within the palace walls are splendid whilst the most dramatic view looking up to the Alcázar itself can be found from the 'Parque de El Alcazar'. The third member of this monumental triumverate is the 'Catedral de Segovia', the last Gothic cathedral built in Spain and generally considered to be a true masterpiece of Basque-Castilian Gothic architecture. Commonly known as 'The Lady of Cathedrals', it is arguably the third largest cathedral that the city has known and and retains the cloister of the second largest, originally located opposite the castle before being destroyed in 1520 during the 'Revolt of the Comuneros'. The cathedral was consecrated in 1768 and has dimensions of 105 metres long, 50 metres wide and 33 metres high at the nave. Further, it has 18 side chapels and three imposing doors; 'El Perdón', 'San Frutos' and 'San Geroteo', named after the first bishop of the diocese. Away from these wonderful stuctures there's plenty more to see in the city, including the city walls, the 'Iglesia de San Esteban', the quite stunning 'Iglesia de la Vera Cruz' which dates back to the 12th century and stands proudly on a bare patch of ground just north of the 'Alcázar'. There's the 'Monasterio de Santa María del Parral', many important civil buildings and a large number of parks to wander around which provide some peace and quiet as well as shelter and shade from the sun, which during the summer months can get very hot indeed. Finally, it should not be forgotten that Segovia lays claim to being the real home of one of Spain's delicacies, 'cochinillo' or roast suckling pig. Truly delicious! There are plenty more photos of Segovia and other Spanish towns/locations if you take a look at my 'Albums' page, www.flickr.com/photos/36623892@N00/sets/ - thank you.
Segovia, Spain - views over the city
Dramatically situated at a height of over 1,000m (3,275 ft), Segovia is a provincial capital lying in the autonomous region of Castilla y León and about 90km north-west of Madrid. Although its population is only 57,000, Segovia is of immense cultural importance; reflecting its rich and diverse history dating back more than 2,000 years when, according to legend, the city was founded by the Eyptian, Hercules, great-grandchild of Noah. For anyone visiting Segovia, there are three "must-see" destinations starting, inevitably, with the city's most famous and emblematic monument, the 'Acueducto de Segovia'. Located to one side of the much-visited 'Plaza del Azoguejo', the aqueduct is the defining historical feature of the city, dating from the late 1st or early 2nd century. Acknowledged as the most important Roman civil engineering work in Spain, it consists of about 25,000 granite blocks held together without any mortar, and spans 818 meters with more than 170 arches, the highest being 29 meters high. A truly monumental feat of engineering acknowledged in 1985 when Segovia and its Aqueduct were given 'World Heritage' status by UNESCO. Then there's the 'Alcázar de Segovia', the royal palace located on top of a rock between the rivers Eresma and Clamores and documented for the first time in 1122, although it's likely that it existed in earlier times. It was one of the favorite residences of the kings of Castile, built during the transition from Romanesque to Gothic and Mudéjar decor, highlighted by its amply proportioned rooms. The building is structured around two courtyards with two large towers, the 'Keep' and 'John II'. The Alcázar was a favorite residence of 'Alfonso X the Wise' and Henry IV. 'Isabella the Catholic' was crowned Queen of Castile in the palace's main square. Devastated by fire in 1862, it was later rebuilt and now houses the 'General Militar de Segovia' archive and the Museum of the Royal School of Artillery. The views of the neighbouring countryside and other parts of the city from within the palace walls are splendid whilst the most dramatic view looking up to the Alcázar itself can be found from the 'Parque de El Alcazar'. The third member of this monumental triumverate is the 'Catedral de Segovia', the last Gothic cathedral built in Spain and generally considered to be a true masterpiece of Basque-Castilian Gothic architecture. Commonly known as 'The Lady of Cathedrals', it is arguably the third largest cathedral that the city has known and and retains the cloister of the second largest, originally located opposite the castle before being destroyed in 1520 during the 'Revolt of the Comuneros'. The cathedral was consecrated in 1768 and has dimensions of 105 metres long, 50 metres wide and 33 metres high at the nave. Further, it has 18 side chapels and three imposing doors; 'El Perdón', 'San Frutos' and 'San Geroteo', named after the first bishop of the diocese. Away from these wonderful stuctures there's plenty more to see in the city, including the city walls, the 'Iglesia de San Esteban', the quite stunning 'Iglesia de la Vera Cruz' which dates back to the 12th century and stands proudly on a bare patch of ground just north of the 'Alcázar'. There's the 'Monasterio de Santa María del Parral', many important civil buildings and a large number of parks to wander around which provide some peace and quiet as well as shelter and shade from the sun, which during the summer months can get very hot indeed. Finally, it should not be forgotten that Segovia lays claim to being the real home of one of Spain's delicacies, 'cochinillo' or roast suckling pig. Truly delicious! There are plenty more photos of Segovia and other Spanish towns/locations if you take a look at my 'Albums' page, www.flickr.com/photos/36623892@N00/sets/ - thank you.