Off the Beaten Path

Are you longing for the sunny land of Spain, but want a side trip that goes beyond the ordinary Spanish destinations? Perhaps you have seen the major cities and want to soak up some history in an exciting and fascinating place. Although Spain offers many choices for that small-town exploration, there is one city that delivers a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience. This elusive destination is Segovia (pronounced with a "b" in the place of "v"), an ancient city inhabited by the Celtic tribes in ages past and now one of Spain's most beautiful offerings. Segovia is a city where history is never hard to find, and culture colors every block. You'll undoubtedly find the change from Madrid's or Seville's beating heart of action to Segovia's churches and places of reflection to be welcome.

Cultural Beginnings

Segovia had its beginnings as a Celtic settlement until it was conquered, like much of the known world, by the Roman armies. When Moorish armies were subduing and reconstructing Spain's Andalusian region to suit their own tastes, Segovia remained untouched by foreign influences and sports mostly Spanish colonial architecture. The baroque and classical elements of many of Segovia's famous buildings show that the city had no trouble keeping up with the architectural demands of the times. In an age where cathedrals reaching to the skies were a mark of importance, Segovia's cathedral wasted no time in constructing their own "miniature heaven" to add to Spain's impressive churches.

Scattered among the famous sights in Segovia are smaller sites with just as much history. A view of the city with the cathedral towering over the smaller dwellings reveals that the Castilian landscape hasn't changed much in the last four hundred years. Before you sit down and decide which attractions to fit into your schedule, make sure that visiting the Alcazar of Segovia is the first priority on your list. There are enough things to see in the castle and on the grounds that spending a few days scouting out this chunk of history would probably not allot you enough time to see everything.

A Famous Symbol of Segovia

Alcazar of Segovia. Most likely, many tourists visit Segovia for the express purpose of seeing the Alcazar, or castle. The castle itself is beautiful and full of Moorish and Spanish architectural designs, even despite the fact that it was completely redone in a "whimsical" style in Victorian times. The Alcazar's surroundings make it even more enjoyable. Nearby, the rivers of Clamores and Eresma provide a natural backdrop, and the rock upon which it stands has been a beacon of the city for thousands of years. The Alcazar of Segovia is a fairy-tale castle perched on a cliff, with medieval turrets, underground rooms, and hundreds of years of history, intrigue, and adventure. It was the setting for the marriage of the infamous King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, the celebrated union that joined together the medieval kingdoms of Castile and Leon.

Standing the Test of Time

Roman Aqueduct. At this ancient monument, the modern thoroughfare meets a two-thousand-year-old waterway that still stands almost as it did when the Romans first constructed it over the Frio River. It is amazingly intact for the time it has stood as guard over Segovia. Interestingly enough, there is no mortar or any kind of substance holding the stones together, only the balance in the way they were laid. Chances are that if you study Segovia or ask anyone about the most famous tourist attraction, this will be what they'll recommend. The oddity of an ancient Roman arch perching unchanged next to a bustling metropolis will definitely get the traveler's attention.

Timeless Shrines of Faith

Faith has always been very important to the people of Segovia, as is visible by the churches and convents that dot the scenic streets. Many of Segovia's attractions are related to the Spaniards' deep embrace of the Catholic faith. Take time to stop and see these monuments of religious fervor and admire the different types of architecture used to construct the many places of reverence and worship. Spain is one of the countries in Europe that feels the most reverent and peaceful, despite its tumultuous past. No matter what your religious beliefs may be, you are guaranteed to feel a certain spiritual aura in the city of Segovia.

• The Cathedral of Segovia. When you step into Segovia’' downtown and gaze up at the Cathedral known as St. Mary's, you will think you've been transported to the grandeur of the Renaissance. Many spires, arches and towers, along with intricate details created over centuries, make this cathedral seem more like a castle than a church. Although construction was begun in 1525, the cathedral wasn't completely "finished" until 1470 and was officially consecrated in 1768. Admission to the church is through the Gate of St. Frutos, which is an attraction in its own right by way of its three-hundred-year existence. A bit of bizarre history concerns the tomb of the infant Prince Peter which is located in the cathedral. Local legend says his nurse accidentally dropped the baby while standing over the castle's ramparts.
• Churches and monasteries. Explore the vibrant heart of Catholic Spain by stopping at some of these religious attractions: The Convent of Santa Cruz la Real; San Esteban Church; San Millan Church; the Monastery of Parral; the Iglesia (Church) de la Vera Cruz; and the Convento (Convent) de los Carmelitas. Some interesting facts concerning these attractions: The Monastery of Parral is considered by some to be the biggest monastery in the country and will give you a great idea of what it was like to live the life of a medieval monk. The Convento de los Carmelitas was looked after by Saint Teresa, a 16th century figure that some consider one of Spain's most famous patronesses. The Church of Vera Cruz is a medieval edifice dating from the early 13th century and was constructed by the enigmatic religious warriors, the Knights Templar. Some believe it was built to resemble the holiest church in Christendom, the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, but it is not known for sure how much veracity there is to this statement.

For a Touch of Class

If art is your thing, there are galleries and museums available to browse many great artists of the past, whatever your interests may be. Try stopping by the following attractions during your trip to the great city of Segovia:

• Esteban Vicente Contemporary Art Museum. The building itself is worth some notice; it is a 15th century home in Segovia's mainland, a costly residence where only the rich and noble would have resided. Esteban Vicente, known for abstracts and the foreign influences that show through in his works, has his showcase here. Vicente's works are also featured in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, among other galleries
• Casa de los Picos. Stop in and see the Artistic School of Applied Arts if you like the creative scene. The house in which it is located literally means "House of the Points" because of the sharp points that cover the exterior of the 15th century home. The story goes that originally Casa de los Picos was owned by a Jewish family. When the new family, Christians, moved in, they didn’t want any "bad associations" from the house belonging to Jews. They changed the name and the facade, hoping to chase out any "evil" spirits that may be lurking.

The Rich and Famous

Segovia has its own palace, setting it on scale with Paris and Venice in its own right. San Ildefonso de la Granja was Felipe V of Spain's colonial home and private residence for the summer months. By far one of the most beautiful aspects of the house is the scenery on which it is situated. Be prepared to see gardens, artwork, fountains, flora and fauna as you travel the ornate grounds. Once you enter the palace, you will be amazed at the detailed work that went into making the palace a home fit for royalty. No expensive whim has been spared in making each room grand and high-scale. A clock collection adds a fanciful whim to the tour.

Make Sure Not to Miss ...

The most important sites to see in Segovia are not the large tourist attractions, but the small things. Narrow, winding medieval streets. Balconies protruding from ancient rows of homes. Tapas bars and smells of Hispanic cooking meandering through the plaza. Huge cathedrals and humble churches side by side, attesting to centuries of faith. These are the sites, sounds and tastes that will bring back pleasurable memories of old Spain. Take note of the city walls; they date from the 11th century. Many medieval towns, in constant fear of attacks and enemy infiltration, constructed mighty walls around their cities and towns. Segovia's wall remains, but only three of the seven gates that once guarded the wall are still standing. This would make a great stop and an opportunity for some unique pictures before you end your tour of this beautiful little slice of Spain.

External Links:

• Route of Cities - Segovia - Tourist info on major Segovia attractions
• Churches at Segovia - Site detailing Segovia's religious monuments
• Segovia Travel Guide - Restaurants, attractions, and hotels guide