Segovia - even Walt Disney found inspiration here

As soon as we arrived in Segovia, there was a sight you could not miss! The famous Roman aqueduct (which means channel of water) was built in the 1st century and was still being used to channel water from the mountains into the city until 1973. The 167 granite arches (highest point 90 feet tall) were designed to keep channel high enough to bring water on a track from mountains 10 miles away.

What is amazing about this structure is that 1) it’s 2,000 years old; 2) there is no cement, mortar or no concrete holding this thing together - only stone upon stone and 3) it’s still standing!!!

Throughout our tour we saw many cool buildings with unique facades. It was interesting to see what was called graffiti which looked like rubber stamped designs. And how over time, each generation either liked it or didn’t and they covered it with stucco or refurbished it to its original character.

Segovia Cathedral - building started in 1525 - finished in 18th century (definitely NOT a quick build project)

There Royal prison (like many other historical buildings) has been repurposed for public use - it’s now local library: kids’ joke that it’s still the same :) And the finale star of the tour was the medieval Alcázar castle. This gem was hidden from view during our ascent but when we took in the full setting, it immediately looked familiar somehow. Then we were told that this castle was a source of inspiration for Disney World’s Cinderella castle.

 

It’s clear they don’t want any uninvited guests

But we came anyway!

We met at El Bernardino for lunch where the group had the famous roasted suckling pig. It was quite a show to see the waiter cut up the pig with the edge of a plate. And when friends at the next table requested the hot sauce, it was a done deal. Our pescado (fish in Spanish - see, I’m picking up a little here and there) was a special treat. But I had to ask for salad (which was really just romaine lettuce tossed in light vinaigrette). Dessert, shopping and made it to the bus before the downpour began. It was a very quiet ride back to Madrid.

  

Before                                              After

And by 8pm, we were out and about again - this time to the famous Casa Botín, founded in 1725, the oldest restaurant in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. Since it was Monday night, six of us took a chance to see if we could be seated without a reservation.

 

When we walked in, and up 3 flights of rickety stairs (YES!), we made it to our table which looked like the last available one in the whole place. We had a few mishaps on the pass-thru end of our table due to close quarters but the food was fast, delicious and relatively inexpensive for the size of our group. And we got so used to being close, it was easy to get a group pic in the mirrored elevator back at the hotel.

Sending you more love from Segovia, Spain!