Girl looking at the Roman aqueduct of Segovia

Segovia, a city with a long history, near Madrid

Segovia sits between the rivers Clamores and Eresma, and is an essential part of any trip to the Castilla y León region. Read on and discover the relics of the past that cannot be missed on your next trip to Spain.

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The Aqueduct of Segovia, one of the most important legacies of the Roman Empire in Spain

Have you ever seen an aqueduct in the middle of a city? This is a pleasure that awaits you in Segovia. With 167 arches, the Aqueduct of Segovia is considered to be one of the most important legacies of the Roman Empire in Spain. You’ll see for yourself that it was built with solid blocks of stone and no mortar; it runs for over 10 kilometres before it reaches the city, dividing it in two, with the Plaza del Azoguejo on one side, and the Plaza de la Artillería on the other. To appreciate it in all its glory, start out at the Casa de Piedra, continue on to the convent of San Antonio el Real, once the hunting lodge of King Enrique IV, arriving at the Alcázar complex.

The Alcázar de Segovia, a fairytale castle

The Alcázar of Segovia is an unforgettable castle. It was built at the end of the Middle Ages - the beginning of the modern era, and today it’s considered one of the most unusual in the whole of Europe. It was built in a mixture of Gothic and Mudejar styles, with a few Austrian touches. The slate tiles topping the turrets and the side wall shaped like the prow of a ship give it the look of something straight out of a fairy-tale. So, it’s hardly surprising that Orson Welles used it in his Chimes at Midnight, or that in all probability Walt Disney chose it as the model for Cinderella’s castle. From afar you’ll see how the imposing Torre del Homenaje rises to the sky, and you can climb the 156 steps up to the room that once served as a state prison for the nobility. In addition to the tower, you can visit the Hall of the Old Palace, the Royal Chamber, the chapel, the Clock Patio, and the Royal Artillery Museum.

Girl looking at the Alcázar of Segovia castle

The Cathedral of Segovia, with night visit included

The Cathedral of Segovia, also known as the grand dame of cathedrals, stands in the Plaza Mayor. As you step inside, you’ll see the light stream through the huge stained-glass windows, flooding the rooms with a hundred different colours. Inside you’ll see the chapel of La Concepción and its great oil paintings such as The Tree of Life, painted by Ignacio de Ries in the 17th century. You’ll continue on your way through the cloister, the chapter house and finally the Carroza del Corpus Christi. And if you’re feeling intrepid, arrange a nocturnal visit to one of the towers. You'll discover all of Segovia’s hidden cultural secrets.

Views of the Cathedral of Santa María above the rooftops of Segovia

The San Andrés Gate, a link between past and present

The San Andrés Gate, also known as Arco del Socorro, is in the southern part of Segovia’s city walls. Like the gates of San Cebrián, Santiago, San Juan, and San Martín, it joins different parts of the walls, and encloses the city.The gate is a real architectural gem, with its majestic towers, steep arches, cornices, and coats of arms. The monumental complex is one of the crowning glories of the city. Prepare yourself to be amazed - we’re sure you’ve never seen anything like it.