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    Tourist Attractions in Segovia

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Segovia. Photos and a brief description.

    Segovia
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    About Segovia

    Like many cities in Spain, Segovia can be called an open-air museum without exaggeration. There are so many attractions concentrated on a small territory here that it seems as if History itself has settled among the stone walls of old houses. The grandiose Roman aqueduct, which has survived millennia, along with the Alcazar and the cathedral – that’s why tourists from all over the world come here.

    Segovia still has churches and monasteries built during the Early Middle Ages. It seems that time has no power at all over their powerful walls. Several small museums contain collections of ancient artifacts, carefully preserved for future generations. The silent city squares may still remember the unhurried tread of the royal processions and the clang of the weapons of the noble Cortes.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Segovia

    Aqueduct

    The Roman aqueduct in Segovia is the longest structure of this type in Western Europe, preserved since ancient times. Its length is 728 meters, height is 28 meters. Regarding the date of construction, there are still disputes, gradually scientists are inclined to the version that it was erected during the time of Emperor Vespasian in the I century. Previously, it was part of a multi-kilometer water supply system.

    Aqueduct
    Alcazar

    Alcazar

    A royal fortress built on a rock at the confluence of two rivers. Alcazar was founded by the Arabs around the IX century, the first mention of it dates back to the XI century. After the expulsion of the Moors from the Iberian Peninsula, the fortress turned into the residence of the kings of Castile. Isabella of Castile was crowned here, and here she married Ferdinand of Aragon. Currently, there is a museum on the territory of the fortress.

    Segovia Cathedral

    The first mention of the temple dates back to the XII century, but this structure was destroyed as a result of the uprising of the Castilian feudal lords in the XVI century. The construction of the new cathedral lasted almost a century and a half. The work began under the supervision of architect H. G. de Ontagnon (hereinafter – under the supervision of his son Rodrigo). Due to its grandiose size and rich interior, the temple looks more like a palace than a house of God.

    Segovia Cathedral
    Plaza Mayor

    Plaza Mayor

    Almost every Spanish city has its own Plaza Mayor. Moreover, these squares are often very similar to each other. The place seems to perform the function of a mandatory attribute and a distinctive sign. The central square of Segovia, as everywhere else, is filled with cafe tables and people walking. It is surrounded on all sides by historical buildings of the XIV-XV centuries. During a walk around the city, a tourist will definitely pass through the Plaza Mayor several times.

    La Vera Cruz Church

    The temple was built by the Knights Templar in the distant XII century. Later, the Maltese Order took over the building. At the beginning of the XX century, it passed to the state, after which restoration activities began here. During the work inside the temple, original frescoes were discovered, which are more than 500 years old. During religious holidays, a costumed procession takes place from the city to the church.

    La Vera Cruz Church
    Monastery of San Antonio El Real

    Monastery of San Antonio El Real

    The monastery was founded by King Enrique IV in 1455. Previously, his hunting grounds were located on this place. The monastery should be visited for its magnificent architecture, which can be defined as a mixture of Gothic, Mudejar and Plateresco. The facade of the building is decorated with the coat of arms of Catholic kings, one of the chapels is painted by Flemish masters who belonged to the Utrecht school.

    El Parral Monastery

    El Parral was founded by the Marquis de Villena (a powerful royal favorite) in 1447. To this day, the church facade is decorated with the family coats of arms of this aristocrat. The monastery was built according to the project of H. Guasu. The brothers of the Hieronymite Order found refuge here. El-Paral is the last functioning monastery of this monastic community, whose number in our time is only a few people.

    El Parral Monastery
    Church of San Esteban

    Church of San Esteban

    Romanesque temple of the XII-XIII centuries, which has survived many reconstructions in its lifetime. Finally, its architectural appearance was formed only in the XVIII century. The bell tower of the cathedral can be seen from anywhere in the city due to its impressive size (53 meters in height). Experts believe that the church is the best example of the Spanish-Romanesque style, although this opinion is not generally accepted.

    Church of San Millan

    The temple is located on the way from the bus station to the Roman aqueduct, so it is almost impossible to miss this attraction. This church is one of the oldest in the city. It is believed that it was built in the XI-XII centuries. The building is built in the Romanesque style, which is characterized by rough shapes, massive walls, narrow windows and a fairly simple exterior finish.

    Church of San Millan
    Church of San Martin

    Church of San Martin

    The church building is located on the main square of Segovia. The temple rivals San Millan in age, since it was also built in the XI century. Before the expulsion of the Moors, there was an Arab mosque in its place. The church is functioning – services are held here regularly. The interior is quite austere, some parts of the walls are in dire need of restoration. On the facade of the building there are figures of four prophets.

    Antonio Machado House Museum

    Antonio Machado is a Spanish poet, thinker and playwright. In his work, he adhered to the traditions of Spanish modernism, generously diluted with folk poetry. A. Machado lived in a house on Desamparados Street from 1919 to 1932. During this time, teaming up with artists, he founded the People's University. After the poet's death, a museum named after him was founded in the house.

    Antonio Machado House Museum
    Casa del Sol Museum

    Casa del Sol Museum

    "Casa del Sol" means "house of the sun" in Spanish. This is a small museum that often goes unnoticed on the main tourist routes. Primitive tools, samples of Roman mosaics, works of art confiscated from monasteries during the alienation of church property, sculptures, engravings and an interesting collection of glass are stored here.

    Esteban Vicente Museum of Contemporary Art

    The collection is located in the palace of King Henrique IV, which was built in the XV century. It consists of 150 paintings, drawings and sculptures by the artist Esteban Vicente, a representative of abstract expressionism. He hardly lived in Spain, but after his death he bequeathed that his works should return to their homeland in Segovia. The museum was created in the 2000s according to the last will of the master.

    Esteban Vicente Museum of Contemporary Art
    Casa de los Picos

    Casa de los Picos

    The attraction got its name because its facade is lined with pyramid-shaped blocks. The building is located on the way from the Plaza Mayor to the aqueduct. The house used to belong to the de la Hos family. The family coat of arms of this family still adorns the wall. Inside there is an art school and a small exhibition gallery attached to it, which can be visited for free.

    La Granja de San Idelfonso Palace

    La Granja is a palace complex located on the territory of the city of San Idelfonso, located 15 km from Segovia. It is a country royal residence. Before the construction of La Granja, the hunting grounds of the Castilian monarchs were located here, later – monastic lands. The construction of the complex began by order of Philip V at the beginning of the XVIII century.

    La Granja de San Idelfonso Palace