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SEGOVIA

The Roman Aqueduct of Segovia
The Roman Aqueduct of Segovia.

Full of charm and history, the city of Segovia is located 53 miles northwest of Madrid, high above the Castilian plane at the confluence of the rivers Eresma and Clamores. Segovia has a population of 57,617 (2005) and is visited by thousands of people every year. Main attractions include the Roman Aqueduct, the Alcázar, and the 16th century Gothic cathedral. There are also more than 20 old Romanesque churches, convents, and monasteries spread all over the city and its surroundings, although most monuments are concentrated in the medieval urban center within the old city walls that have a length of 3 kilometers (1.86 miles).

In December 1985, the old town of Segovia and its Aqueduct were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

The Roman Aqueduct.
The Roman aqueduct is the most famous symbol of Segovia, a unique construction of civil engineering and probably the finest example of its kind still existing. The aqueduct was built at the end of the 1st century AD without the use of mortar or cement, at a time when the Roman Empire was at its largest extent and covered most of the then discovered world. The aqueduct is 813 meters long and raises to a maximum height of 28 meters (92 feet) above the Plaza del Azoguejo. It is made of granite rocks and consists of 166 arches and 120 pillars arranged in two levels.

The Alcázar.
Originally built in the 12th Century over the remains of an old Roman fortress, the Alcázar (fortress) stands on top of a promontory dominating the Castilian plain. In the Middle Ages, it became one of the favorite residences of the Castilian Monarchs and was successively modified until the 16th century when the conical towers and the sloped slate roofs were added. In 1570, Felipe II married his fourth wife, Ana of Austria, in the Alcázar. For most of the 17th and 18th centuries, the Alcázar served as a prison, until it was converted into the Royal Artillery School in 1764 during the reign of Carlos III. On March 1862 however, the Alcázar was devastated by a fire and it was later reconstructed from 1882 to 1896 by architect Antonio Bermejo y Arteaga. In 1898, after the restoration, the General Military Archives of Spain were moved to the Alcázar and placed on the upper floor where they remain to the present day.

Visiting Times:
October-March: From 10:00 am to 18:00 pm.
April-September: From 10:00 am to 19:00 pm.

Entrance fees: 4 Euros (6 Euros including the tower of Juan II).

Phone: (+34) 921 460759
Fax: (+34) 921 460755

Visitors don't forget to go to the top of the Tower of Juan II from where there are great panoramic views of the city.

The Cathedral.
The Cathedral of Segovia is a great example of the late Gothic style in the 16th century. Its construction began in 1525 during the reign of Emperor Carlos V and it was consecrated in 1768. The Cathedral is located off the Plaza Mayor within the old city walls, and it is easily identified from the distance by its tall tower, 88 meters (288 feet) high.

Visiting Times:
October-March: From 9:30 am to 17:30 pm.
April-September: From 9:30 am to 18:30 pm.

Entrance fees: 2 Euros (funds go towards the preservation and restoration of the Cathedral).

Phone: (+34) 921 462205
Fax: (+34) 921 460694


Visiting Segovia. How to get to Segovia.

Segovia can be reached from Madrid by train from Atocha and Chamartín stations. It takes about 2 hours to get to Segovia and a return ticket costs 10.20 Euros. Once you arrive at Segovia's train station, a bus (line 8) will take you to the Roman aqueduct in a few minutes. Go to the tourist information office located at the Plaza del Azoguejo right below the aqueduct, get a map if you don't have one already, and begin exploring the city by yourself. The main tourist route runs between the Roman Aqueduct and the Alcázar, and since many streets have been pedestrianized walking is the best option.

Note. Since January 2008 you can take the AVE (High Speed Train) at Chamartín Station and get to Segovia in only 30 minutes. A return ticket costs 40.80 Euros.

Tourist Information Office
Plaza del Azoguejo, 1.
Phones: (+34) 921 466 720 - (+34) 921 466 721 - (+34) 921 466 722 - (+34) 921 466 723.

Photos of Segovia.

Acueducto Romano Segovia Roman Aqueduct Segovia Segovia Aqueduct Acueducto de Segovia

Alcázar of Segovia Alcázar Castle Segovia Alcázar de Segovia

Cathedral Segovia Plaza Mayor Segovia


Segovia Accommodation, Lodging, Hotels, and Hostels. Where to Sleep.

Hotel Alcázar **** - Calle San Marcos, 5. - 100 meters from the Alcázar.

Hotel Los Arcos **** - Paseo Ezequiel González, 26. - Outside old city walls.

Parador de Segovia **** - Ctra. Valladolid, s/n - La Lastrilla. - 3 km from the city center.

Hotel Acueducto *** - Padre Claret, 10. - 200 meters from the Aqueduct.

Hostería Ayala Berganza *** - Carretas, 5. - 2-minute walk from the Aqueduct.

Hotel Infanta Isabel *** - Plaza Mayor, 12. - Within old city walls.

Hotel Los Linajes *** - Calle Doctor Velasco, 9. - Within old city walls.

Hotel Casa Mudéjar *** - Isabel la Católica, 8. - Plaza mayor, Within old city walls.

Hotel Corregidor ** - Ctra. Ávila, 1. - Outside old city walls.

Hotel San Miguel ** - Calle Infanta Isabel, 6. - Plaza Mayor - Within old city walls.

Hotel Las Sirenas ** - Calle Juan Bravo, 30. - Within old city walls.

Hostal Fornos ** - Calle Infanta Isabel, 13. - Within old city walls.

Hostal El Hidalgo ** - Calle José Canalejas, 3-5. - Within old city walls.

Hostal Sol Cristina * - Avda. Obispo Quesada, 40-42. - Off train Station.

Hostal Plaza * - Calle Cronista Lecea, 11. - Within old city walls.

Hostal Don Jaime * - Calle Ochoa Ondategui, 11. - 80 meters from the Aqueduct.

Hostal El Hidalgo-2 * - Calle Juan Bravo, 21. - Within old city walls.

La Hosteria Natura * - Calle Colón, 5. - Within old city walls.

Hostal Juan Bravo * - Calle Juan Bravo, 12. - Within old city walls.

Hostal Taray * - Cuesta de San Bartolomé, s/n. - Within old city walls.


Segovia Restaurants. Where to Eat.

Mesón de Cándido - Azoguejo, 5. - Just below the Aqueduct.

Restaurante El Bernardino - Calle Cervantes, 2. - Near the Aqueduct.

Restaurante Duque - Calle Cervantes, 12. - Near the Aqueduct.

Mesón José María - Cronista Lecea, 11. - Near Plaza Mayor.

Mesón-Restaurante La Oficina - Cronista Lecea, 10. - Near Plaza Mayor.

Restaurante y Catering La Catedral - Calle Marqués del Arco, 32. - Next to the Cathedral.


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