Madrid Excursions to Segovia

(Madrid, Spain)



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Segovia




Founded during the Iberian period, Segovia is considered to be the most dramatically situated city in Spain. It is located atop an outcrop, with a view looking over the convergence of the Río Eresma and Río Clamores. Taken by the Romans in 80 BC and occupied by the Moors before reverting to the Christians in 1085, Segovia has had a colourful past.

The Muslims left a thriving wool and textile industry, which only began to deteriorate in the mid-16th century. Segovia was a favoured seat of the Castillian royalty and saw the coronation of Isabel I in 1474 at Iglesia de San Miguel. Led by Juan Bravo, the defiant Comuneros found assistance from the city in 1520. Segovia's popularity was then set aside until the 1960s, with the advent of tourism and some light industry.

Nowadays Segovia is an extremely popular choice of weekend destination for the inhabitants of Madrid and is renowned as the capital of Catalan cuisine, with specialities being cochinillo asado (suckling pig) and judiones de la Granja (a bean dish).
When visiting Segovia probably the best mode of travel around the city is by foot.

Facts about Segovia



Places of Interest

Please note that at some sites students may be entitled to a discount.

Acueducto Romano (Roman Aqueduct)

This granite structure, running through the centre of Segovia, is supported by 163 arches, (some two-tiered), and although once 15 km / 9 miles long is now a total length of 894 metres / 2,932 feet and a maximum height of 28 metres / 92 feet. Built during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD from local material, no mortar or cement was used in its construction. The passage of time has resulted in a few alterations to the aqueduct, such as a 16th-century statue of Hercules being replaced in the recess of the tallest arch by a Christian image and the installation of a modern pipeline. The Roman Aqueduct still delivers water to the town.
Visitors may obtain the best view of this historic structure by climbing up to and taking a vantage point on the old town walls.

El Alcázar (The Alcázar)

It is thought that this site has been fortified since the Romans built a watchtower here. The Alcázar was rebuilt and expanded in the 13th and 14th centuries where a 12th-century stone fortress was once situated. Located at the western end of the city this fortress's appearance has been influenced by the rocky projection upon which it stands. It has been built at the most environmentally tactical point with unrestricted views on all sides.

As the Alcázar grew in size and became better appointed, it began to have a more significant historical role. 13th-century parliaments assembled here, Isabel I stayed in 1474 when she was crowned queen of Castile, King Felipe II married his fourth bride Anne of Austria in 1570 and the Tower of King John II became a 16th-century political prison. Felipe II added conical slate roofs to the fortress. The fort later burnt down in 1862 resulting in it being remodelled in 1880 with its fairy tale appearance.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 19:00 (winter until 18:00)
Admission: charge

Catedral (Cathedral)

Nicknamed the 'Queen of Cathedrals' due to its charm, this was the last major Gothic construction undertaken in Spain and dates from 1525 although it was not sanctified until 1768. The cathedral was once taller than its present day height until the main tower was struck by lightning in 1614. The interior is sparse almost austere in decoration although it does have cloisters which are from a previous cathedral, which was demolished by fire. A museum and chapter house are adjacent to the cathedral and both display religious art and relics including 17th-century Gobelin tapestries.
Open hours: daily - summer 09:30 to 19:00, winter - 09:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Museo de Holografía (Museum of Holography)

Address: Calle de Daoiz 9
A museum dedicated to the study and display of holograms. This is an enjoyable stop off for children.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:30 to 14:30 and 16:30 to 20:30
Admission: charge

Casa y Museo de Antonio Machado (House and Museum of Antonio Machado)

Address: Calle de los Desemparados 5
Antonio Machado, one of Spain's finest 20th-century poets, resided at this address between 1919 and 1932. Today visitors will find displays of the poet's personal effects.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 16:00 to 19:00 (autumn and winter until 18:00)

Casa de Sol (The Sun House)

Address: Calle de Socorro 11
This building, now housing the Segovia Museum (Museo de Segovia) that shows restricted exhibitions, was once an abattoir.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 19:00 and Sunday - 10:00 to 14:00

Iglesia de la Vera Cruz (Church of the True Cross)

Address: just outside the town, in the valley facing the Alcázar
Based on the plan of Jerusalem's church of the Holy Sepulchre, this twelve-sided shaped structure was built in the 13th century by the Knights Templar. The knights watched over what is reputed to be part of the true cross in the distinctive two-tiered chapel that is surrounded by a circular nave. This holy relic is now housed in the church of Zamarramala, a village near to Segovia, and can only be seen by the public at Easter. The Church of the True Cross restored by the Maltese Order in the 1950s has excellent views from the bell tower of the Alcázar and the city.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:30 to 13:30 and 15:30 to 19:00 (autumn and winter until 18:00)
Admission: charge



Monasterio del Parral (Monastery of El Parral)

To obtain admittance to this monastery, which was established in 1459, visitors must ring the bell. The monastery boasts a Gothic cloister and it is possible to overhear the chants of a Gregorian mass at noon on Sundays.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 12:30 and 16:00 to 18:30 and Sunday - 10:00 to 11:30

Convento de San Antonio El Real (Royal Convent of St. Antonio)

Once the summer residence of Enrique IV, the site comprises a Gothic-Mudéjar church and possesses wonderful artisanal ceilings.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 16:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Iglesia de San Martín (St. Martin's Church)

This Romanesque 12th-century church has a Mudéjar tower and arched gallery. Internally a Flemish Gothic chapel can be found.

Plaza Mayor (Main Square)

The rectangular Plaza Mayor is bordered by a diverse collection of buildings, amongst which are arcades, cafés and the 17th-century Town Hall. Plaza Mayor is the hub of Segovia especially during the festival season.

Other Monuments



Surrounding Area


Madrid Excursions

La Granja de San Ildefonso

Address: located approximately 11 km / 7 miles south-east of Segovia, 90 km / 56 miles north of Madrid
Bourbon King Felipe V ordered a royal palace to be built in this small town in the likeness of Versailles, the residence of his French grandfather Louis XIV, the sun king, and the place where he had spent his formative years. The 300-room palace is notable for its French Imperial style decoration and fixtures, which were manufactured mainly in Spain. The palace had to be renovated, after it was severely damaged by fire in 1918. Visitors are able to view approximately half the property together with the Museo de Tapices (tapestry museum) which features 16th-to 18th-century works of art collected by Spanish royalty.

The palace is situated in decorative formal gardens, which were laid out in 1720 by French architects and gardeners, with some Italian assistance. Particularly noteworthy are the remarkable fountains. Of the twenty-eight fountains featured in the gardens one is 80 metres / 262 feet high. Some fountains are operated on a Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 05:00 although this may alter from time to time.
Open hours: Gardens, daily - 10:00 to 21:00, Palace, June to September, daily - 10:00 to 18:00, October to May, daily - 10:00 to 13:30 and 15:00 to 17:00
Admission: Gardens - charge applicable when fountains are working, free at all other times. Palace - charge, reduction for students

Pedraza de la Sierra

Address: located approximately 35 km / 22 miles north-east of Segovia
A sleepy walled village during the week, Pedraza de la Sierra bustles with life on the weekend with the arrival of the throngs from Segovia and Madrid. Situated by the only gated entrance is the 14th-century prison, whilst at the opposite end of the village is the Castillo. Both buildings give admittance to visitors at weekends. Another feature of Pedraza de la Sierra is the attractively porticoed main square.

Turégano

Address: located approximately 30 km / 19 miles north of Segovia
During the 15th century, Juan Arias Dávila, the archbishop of Segovia wished Turégano to be his own stronghold and so had a castle wall built around the Iglesia de San Miguel (Church of St. Miguel).

Coca

Address: located approximately 50 km / 31 miles north-west of Segovia
Built in 1453, by the influential Fonseca family, the Castillo dominates this Castillian village. The Gothic-mudéjar design is completely constructed from brick and encircled by a deep moat.
Guided visits: Monday to Friday - 10:30 to 13:30 and 16:30 to 18:00, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays - 11:00 to 13:30 and 16:30 to 19:00

Cuéllar

Address: located approximately 60 km / 38 miles north of Segovia
The key feature of this community is the huge, pale stone 15th-century Castillo (palace).
Open hours: Saturday and Sunday - 11:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 19:00

Riofrío

Address: located approximately 85 miles / 53 miles north of Madrid, 10 km / 6 miles south of Segovia
Here visitors will find a comparatively modest 18th-century palace, which is now allocated in part to the Museo de Caza (Hunting Museum). Access to the palace is via the scenic road across a sanctuary for deer. These animals are not at all timid and will eat directly from the palm of the hand.









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Madrid, Spain - Excursions to Segovia - Last updated 7/9/2019 - gprofile - Google+

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