Seniors Practice Their Spanish in Segovia

Segovia, pop. 60,000,  is the capital of Segovia Province in Spain, a historically significant city northwest of Madrid. Moors, Christians and Jews coexisted for a long time in the medieval city and worked together during the 16th century manufacturing boom.

Segovia is made up of a harmonious ensemble of buildings that date to the Late Middle Ages (11th and 12th centuries) and the Renaissance (16th century), its two periods of prosperity. Segovia is a picturesque old city with twisting alleyways, the highest concentration of Romanesque churches in all of Europe and pedestrian-only streets, all bordered by a medieval wall and two rivers.

On the Plateau of the Old Catile, at the foot of the Sierra Guadarrama, Segovia occupies a steep promontory at the confluence of the Eresma and the Clamores Rivers. This senior learned that gravestones from a Roman necropolis were recycled in the 11th century to build the city walls. The castle, which looks more Bavarian than Castilian, stands at the end of a limestone ridge at the point where the two rivers meet.

Seniors Find Another World Heritage Site

Long before Madrid became the capital of Spain in the 16th century, Segovia was one of the most important cities, as borne out by the Romanesque churches at almost at every turn as one strolls through the narrow streets. In 1985 the old city of Segovia and its Aqueduct were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Within the environment of the old city, stand diversity of historic buildings both civil and religious.

The Aqueduct of Segovia is a Roman construction and one of the most significant and best-preserved ancient monuments that remain on the Iberian Peninsula. I have seen aqueducts in France and Italy, but nothing matches the aqueduct of  Segovia.

The Roman aqueducts of Sevilla, Toledo, and Calahorra in Spain did not survive. This one looks brand new. It passes overhead in the heart of the city. The first section of the aqueduct contains 36 semi-circular arches, rebuilt in the 15th century to restore a portion destroyed by the Moors in 1072.

Alcázar Draws Senior Visitors

Following its restoration, which took place after 1484 on the initiative of the Catholic Kings (Los Reyes Católicos), the aqueduct was  used and well maintained.  Another principal tourist attraction is Alcázar, a royal palace built around the 11th century. The picturesque palace is said to be Walt Disney’s inspiration for Cinderella’s Castle.

The modern Four-Star Parador Hotel is one of the best places for senior visitors to stay and to savor the city’s most traditional dish: roast suckling pig. Segovia is an excellent starting point to tour the province of Castile and León. Senior travelers, give yourself one day in Segovia.

On our way to Segovia, my wife and I took a trip to Avila and its UNESCO-protected city walls and towers.  Amazing cities, both of them.  Enjoy all the amenities of this wonderful old historic city.  jeb