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Segovia is one of Spain's
most famous historic cities.
It is located in the Castilla
and León region just
half an hour's drive from
Madrid. The collection of
historical monuments, their
conservation together with
its beauty make this an impressive
city to visit. It was delared
a World Heritage Site in 1985.
See photos
of Segovia.
Some of the surrounding villages,
entrapped in small valleys
within the canyons of the
River Doratón also
have superb Roman historical
monuments to see. Segovia
is a relatively small province
and you can get to most of
the nearby well known villages
very easily but for those
looking for something more
peaceful off the main tourist
route there are a number of
lesser known but equally interesting
villages which offer accommodation
in rural hotels.
Segovia is a province of
great contrasts. It covers
7000 km2 and rises to 2500
metres above sea level in
its mounta¡nous areas
and drops to 750 metres in
its lowest areas. The province
borders with the south of
Madrid, the north of Burgos
and Valladolid, the east of
Soria and the west of Ávila
and Guadalajara.
The climate: Segovia has a stable climate with cold winters and
hot summers, very typical for Castilla and Leon. It does not have very extreme
temperatures unlike other areas further north. The average temperature is between
10 and 20 degrees although this may drop in the higher areas. Fiestas
in Segovia: The fiestas take place on 25th Octuber, San Frutos. And there
are fiestas to celebrate San Juan in June (24th to 30th). The Easter processions
in Segovia are famous throughout Spain. There is also a well known puppet theatre
festival in Segovia in May called Titirimundi
in which almost 100 puppet theatre companies from all over the world participate.
Historical Sites in Segovia:
- The Aquaduct: This is Segovia's
best known historical monument, clearly visible from the outskirts of the city.
It was built towards the end of 1 A.D. It measures 800 metres and at its highest
point it reaches 28 metres, in the la Plaza del Azoguejo. This impressive piece
of Roman engineering has 166 arches and 120 columns on two levels. Until relatively
recently it was still in use and is probably one of the best conserved Roman aquaducts
in the world.
See Photos
of Aquaduct in Segovia.  The
Cathedral: Located in the Plaza Mayor, this beautiful Cathedral looms over
Segovia's historic centre. It was built in a Renaissance Gothic style in the 16th
century following the destruction of the previous Roman cathedral. It has a museum
which has the first printed book in Spain from 1472 - el Sinodal de Aguilafuente.
This Cathedral is acclaimed for both its size and beauty, designed by Juan Gil
de Hontañón, it has 3 naves with adjoining chapels on each side.
See Photos
of Segovia Cathedral..jpg) Alcázar
de Segovia: Located a short walk from the Cathedral, this impressive fortress
could have Roman or Celtic origins. (recent excavations have found similar stones
to those used in the construction of the aquaduct.) It was built in the 14th century
when the transiton from Roman to Gothic began. Alfonso el Sabio converted it into
one of his favourite residences and during the rest of the middle ages it was
still visited by the Kings of Castilla. Isabel la Católica used it as a
place to start her royal procession before being proclaimed queen in the Plaza
Mayor.
See Photos
of Alcázar de Segovia..jpg) Calle
Real: This is a pedestrianised street which joins the Plaza del Azoguejo to
the Plaza Mayor - it has lots of interesting monuments: - Palacio de los
del Río (16th century)
- Palacio del Conde de Alpuente (5th century)
- Palacio
de los Torreagero (15th - 16th century)
- Mirador de la Canaleja
- Casa
de los Picos
- Plaza de Juan Bravo
- Iglesia de San Martín
(15th century), one of the best examples of a Roman church in the city.
- Convento
de San Antonio El Real: Built in 1455 as a summer residence for Enrique IV,
it was later given to nuns of the Order of Saint Clare by Isabel la Catolica.
This beautiful building became a national monument in 1931 although it was closed
to the public until very recently.
- Convento de los Padres Carmelitas:
The remains of the poet San Juan de la Cruz who wrote Llama de Amor Viva are kept
here.
- Corpus Christi: This is an old Synagogue from the 13th century
which was the centre for the Hebrew population in Segovia in medieval times.
- Iglesia
de la Vera Cruz: Roman church on the outskirts of Segovia where it is said
a piece of Christ's cross was received.
- Museo de arte contemporáneo
de Segovia (The Contemporary Art Museum): Located in an ancient palace
which once belonged to Enrique IV, Renaissance style architecture. It has a permanent
exhibition of work by Esteban Vicente
- Palacio Episcopal: Dating
back to the 16th century this building is currently used as an episcopal residence.
Located next to the 11th century Roman church, Iglesia San Esteban,
See
Photos of monuments in Segovia.
Segovian Gastronomy: The star of
Segovian cuisine is without doubt roast meat, especially pork and lamb. There
are a great number of restaurants in Segovia and the surrounding province that
offer excellent roasts. Other typical dishes from the province are Castellana
soup, beans, stews and trout. The cold meats are very good and the local wines
have a lot of personality and are quite strong. Typical desserts are 'el ponche
segoviano' and there are lots of local cakes and pastries to try (florones, tortas,
rosquillos....). Recommended Restaurants in Segovia: : Segovia's
most famous restaurant is Mesón de Cándido set in a privileged location
just next to the aquaduct. Candido became famous during the Franco dictatorship,
and the restaurant continues specialising in roast suckling pork. Popular with
tourists, it is a bit cramped as tables are very close to eachother and service
very brisk. Meson Duque and Mesón José María also offer excellent
roasts and have the advantage of not being as busy as Cándido. For creative
and innovative cuisine Cocina de Segovia, Villena and Maracaibo-Casa restaurants
are an excellent option.
Accommodation in Segovia:
The city has a Parador hotel
on a hill with fantastic views
of the city of Segovia and
all its main sights. Nevertheless
the quality and the service
is not really up to the standard
offered by other parador hotels.
For other options see Hotels
in Segovia.
 Places
to visit in Segovia Province
- Sepúlveda
- A beautiful village
in the middle of 'las hoces
del Río Duratón'.
Click on name for further
description and see
photos
de Sepúlveda.
- Ayllón -
Medieval village with quiet
streets for strolling along.
A beautiful village in pretty
countryside. Located 93
kms to the north of Segovia
(capital). There are lots
of old mansions and houses
in the village including
the home of the poet Antonio
Machado. Also a Roman bridge
and a walled area.
- Pedraza
- Possibly the most beautiful
village in Segovia province
but quite busy at weekends
so it's advisable to visit
on a weekday to enjoy the
peaceful atmosphere in this
village with its ancient
buildings. Click on name
for further information.
- Coca - Another
small village about 50 kms
from Segovia. Its old part
with its remains of the
old village wall has been
declared of 'special cultural
interest'. The castle dates
back to the 15th century
and is considered to be
one of the most original
in Spain.
- La Granja de San Ildefonso
- This village is located
just 12kms from Segovia
and has links with several
generations of Spanish royalty.
The Royal Palace in the
village is a national monument
not just for the 17th century
building but also for its
impressive gardens with
fountains and sculptures.
Very busy at weekends given
its location not from from
Segovia or Madrid.
- National Park 'las
Hoces del Duratón'
This is where you can see
impressive canyons along
25 kms of the river. As
well as having the largest
colony of vultures nesting
in the rocks of the canyons
there are also 130 types
of other birds in the park.
There are some cave paintings
dating back to the Bronze
age and bridges, chapels
and Roman roads to explore.
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