Hey everyone! I have this trip alrady planned to visit Spain in April with a group from my high school. The person heading up the trip has set aside an entire day to go to Segovia from Madrid. What is the big deal about this place, (seeing as I have no idea)? What should I see and buy there?
Smiley
Posts: 19 | Location: East Longmeadow, MA, USA | Registered: 29 August 2002
Segovia, along with Toledo and Avila is one of my favorite cities in Spain. What�s the big deal? Here they are:
1. Cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig) 2. The Aqueduct 3. The catedral 4. El Alcazar which Walt Disney used to model his famous Disney castle after 5. The pedestrian only streets chock full of wonderful shops, pastelerias and restaurants. 6. La Granja -- near the city is La Granja which was formerly the summer palace for the Spanish royalty to escape the dreadful heat in Madrid.
While it�s not the rocking partying capital that Madrid is, it�s a great day trip with beautiful scenery. The first time I went to Segovia was back in 1984 on a high school trip, and now it�s a must see for anyone who comes to visit me in Spain. Enjoy the city!
P.S. I live in the province of Segovia...not the city
You will love Segovia! A full day may be a bit much there but itis an AWESOME place ot visit, especially around sunset as you can watch the sun go down behind the Aqueduct and see it begin to light up
When headed to Segovia or any other day trip, have a detailed guide book that includes info about each building or site you will see. It is helpful to study the history of the Roman Aqueduct in order to fully appreciate it's construction. We read up on it and other important sites on the web and it added a lot to the experience. One mention of the spectacular carousels in front of the Aqueduct. Fabulous!
Posts: 18 | Location: Loami, Illinois, USA | Registered: 21 May 2003
Just a side note, but I always thought the Walt Disney castle was modeled after a castle in Bavaria, Germany. I forgot the name, but it is long and starts with a N. It looks more like that castle than the one in Segovia. Anyways, I loved Segovia and recommend it to anyone visiting Madrid. I actually liked it a lot more than Toledo, maybe because there weren't as many hills!!
Posts: 14 | Location: San Francisco | Registered: 02 April 2002
I have seen the same castle in Bavaria, and agree that it looks more like Disney's. However, all the guidebooks continue to say that Disney was inspired by the Alcazar de Segovia. Maybe he was inspired by both?
It reminds me of the claim that the original MGM lion was from Dublin Zoo, both are hard to disprove. Go to Jose Marie's on the approach road to the main square for the best lamb, it's where the Segovianos go, they also do a demon morcilla. Check for the story about the town Zamaramalla. Drink loads of wine around the Plaza, some great tapas 'specially in 'La Concepcion' and the souvenir shops near the cathedral (don't go in, you have to pay and it's against my religion)do have some bargains. Canavan's near Jose Marie's has the best pint of Guinness, on the plaza side of Jose Marie's is a great ferreteria which has a great selection of 'Muela' knives at much better prices than in Madrid and if you can, check out La Granja on the way back to Madrid for the palace and gardens, it's also where 'Patton' was filmed and there fiestas are on soon ( sorry I can't remember exactly) where they have a mega judiada, La Granga being famous for it's beans. 'For whom the bell tolls' is based around this area and you can climb up to Reventon to see the trenches. I love the place. :cheers:
Posts: 222 | Location: madrid,spain | Registered: 21 July 2002
The guidebooks can say what it wants about Segovia- unfortunately Disney did NOT build it from its inspiration. The (I know I'm going to spell this wrong) Newschvinestine?!(Bavaria, Germany-not only do the REST of the books EVERYWHERE say this, but if you've seen it, and I've been there- you won't have a doubt!) Castle was the inspiration for the original Disney castle (first one in Orlando, Fla.). That said;
The big things in Segovia: The acuaduct as previously mentioned, the cathedral and Cochnillo (roasted pig- VERY typical- if you go, you MUST try! )
Siguiendo mi propio Camino de Santiago
Posts: 387 | Location: Madrid | Registered: 19 October 2002
Segovia is a marvelous city, when you visit you feel like taking a walk in the past. First there's this awesome Roman aqueduct, that was in service until the 20th century! Then there's the best restaurant in the region, Candidos. Have cochinillo asado, they'll cut it with a plate, it's that tender!
After a hearty meal there, you walk down a tremendous avenue and reach the Plaza Mayor, smallish, but very nice, and you'll see the Renaissance Cathedral, truly a jewel. Continue up an incline for a 20 minute walk and you step into the Fairy tale castle, the Alcazar!
From the Alcazar you look down into a valley that has a Knights Templar Church, a twelve sided Vera Cruz church dating from the 13th century! Spooky place!
If you enjoy Roman/Medieval history, then Segovia is the city for you, and the best part is that it is a short daytrip from Madrid!
Posts: 697 | Location: Florida | Registered: 24 August 2001
Sorry to be a boring party pooper, but according to Disney the French had their influence on that Cinderella 'chateau &/or schloss' in downtown Orlando.
Q: What castles were used as the inspiration for the ones in your theme parks?
A: Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland looks similar in many ways to Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, but actually a number of medieval European castles were used as the model.
Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World was based on the French castles and chateaux of Fontainebleu, Versailles, Chenonceau, Chambord, and Chaumont.
You can find lots more information on the creation of our theme parks and resorts at the Walt Disney Family Museum Nige
PS Nevertheless, I prefer to admire the beautiful castle in Segovia and not compare it with others
Posts: 236 | Location: Cadiz Province and Sussex England | Registered: 07 October 2002
Even though you're already back, those who venture to Segovia usually miss one of the most interesting historical sites, only because it's not in between the alc�zar and the catedral.
Below the castle, on the way out of town on the road to Zumarramala, you'll find a small romanesque church called "Vera Cruz". It is a treasure! The twelve-sided design has reference to the twelve Apostles of Christ, and the [unfortunately deteriorating] frescoes on the interior walls are quite interesting.
Climb the bell tower for a great view of Segovia from below. Additionally, and according to the groundskeeper, the "front yard" of the church was used as a burial ground during the Bubonic plague days in the 13-14th C. Erosion has caused some of the now-bleached bone fragments to "come up to the surface," apparently authenticating the groundskeeper's account. It's nothing uncommon for people to want to be buried in the church, and when you can't afford that, you get buried as close to the church as possible.
Don't miss this stop...it's off the beaten path, and you won't get accosted by Gypsy women trying to sell you table linens [like at the alc�zar!].
Euskaldun
Posts: 33 | Location: En un lugar de California de cuyo nombre no quiero acordarme... | Registered: 14 June 2001
- rent or buy a cell phone from me for your stay in spain, more info at 
- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at 
