Alcazar of Segovia

Wow! This is something to see. A "classic real castle"; and one that has been functioning over the years in various capacities (unlike the romantic inspired castle in Sintra which was all show as the aristocracy really got into building these). It has therefore been well maintained. It is amazing to see the perfect execution of the restorations to the outside of the castle. which include a hallmark of Segovia: iron slag incorporated into the mortar. Very deep moat cut out of stone by the wedging and then expansion of wet timbers. You can see where the bridge over the moat operated from, original amour and weaponry used by knights and there is also an artillery museum, mostly in Spanish. Lunch in the cafeteria (3.5 for food/value but 5 for the view!).

The Alcázar of Segovia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site It is one of Spain’s most impressive castles and, interestingly enough, it is also one of the castles* that inspired the design of Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World.
The castle is on a rocky perch that looks out over the countryside in all directions. It is a perfect location for defensive fortifications and has been used over history by the Romans, Moors, and then the Christians after the Reconquista.
The current castle was built in the mid-1400’s by the monarchs of Castile, becoming their primary residence. It served not only as a fortress but also as a royal palace. It had a major role in the rise of Queen Isabella I who was crowned here as Queen of Castile and León. Isabella and Ferdinand II of Aragon are known for being the first monarchs to be referred to as “Queen of Spain” and “King of Spain” because of their part in reconquering Spain from the Moors
Later, the Alcazar served as a prison (from the mid-1500’s to mid-1700’s) and a Royal Artillery School (mid-1700’s to 1862 when parts of the castle burned in a fire). In 1896 the Alcazar served as a military college. Today part of the castle serves as a military museum about artillery.Read more