Segovia

Segovia rises on a rocky ridge between two rivers, about an hour from Madrid. The Roman aqueduct, built nearly 2,000 years ago without mortar, still dominates the heart of the city. Its 160 arches once carried water from the mountains, and it remains one of the best-preserved structures of its kind in Europe.

In the Middle Ages, Segovia became a stronghold surrounded by thick stone walls. The Alcázar fortress guarded both the city and the wide Castilian plain beyond. Its pointed towers and drawbridge give it a storybook look, but it was also a seat of real power. Queen Isabella was crowned here in 1474, marking the start of Spain’s unification and the funding of Columbus’s first voyage.

By the 15th century, Segovia’s wool trade brought great wealth. Merchants crowded its narrow lanes, and the sound of looms filled the workshops. That prosperity also led to unrest. During the 1520 Castilian Revolt, Segovia sided with the rebels, and parts of the city were destroyed. Fires and wars followed, but each rebuilding added another layer to its long history.

The Gothic cathedral, built after earlier conflicts, rises above the main square. The old Jewish Quarter, once alive with trade and scholarship, still winds through cobbled alleys and shaded courtyards. These quiet streets tell stories of centuries of coexistence and division.

Today, visitors can climb the Alcázar tower for sweeping views of the plains and mountains. At sunset, the aqueduct glows a deep golden orange. Local restaurants serve roast suckling pig, Segovia’s signature dish, cooked in wood-fired ovens that have been used for generations.

From the city walls to the hidden backstreets, every corner of Segovia reveals how this ancient place grew from a Roman outpost into one of Spain’s most enduring cities.