By Nick Weinschrott

Location A walled city in Spain Located within the Iberian Peninsula North of Madrid It’s the capitol of the Segovia Province Map of Spain. The colored dot is Segovia.

History Legend says that Segovia was founded in the year 1076 B.C. by the Egyptian Hercules, great-grandchild of Noah. Segovia got its name during Celtic times when it was called Segobriga which means City of Victory. When the Romans controlled the city, they named it Segovia. They built the famous aqueduct. The city was abandoned after Spain was invaded by the Moors. After the conquest of Toledo by Alfonso VI of Castile and Leon, the city became Christian. Segovia became an important trading city with a diverse population.

World Heritage Site In 1985, Segovia was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO because if its cultural heritage Cultural monument include Aqueduct of Segovia Alcazar of Segovia Segovia Cathedral Walls of Segovia The Templar Iglesia Vera Cruz Aqueduct of Segovia

One of the most significant and best preserved monuments in Spain. Stands over 20 meters high with 166 arches. Built by the Romans in the late 1 st or early 2 nd century. Consists of 25,000 granite blocks put together without mortar. Known as the “Puente de Diablo” or Devil’s Bridge. Legend says the devil built the bridge in one night to win a young woman's soul and the holes on the stones are the marks of the devil's fingers. The Segovia coat of arms features the aqueduct Segovia Coat of Arms

Alcazar of Segovia A royal palace that began as a wooden Arab fort. Spanish kings built the current castle over the old wooden fort. Became the favorite residence of the kings of Castile and Leon. Has two towers and two courtyards. Alcazar of Segovia

Segovia Cathedral Built in 1525 and completed in Known at the Lady of Cathedrals. Considered a masterpiece of Basque-Castilian Gothic. Last Gothic Cathedral Built in Spain. Contains 20 chapels. Segovia Cathedral

Walls of Segovia Built with granite rocks and reused gravestones from the Roman necropolis. Has three main gates: San Cebrián Santiago San Andrés, the gate between the two towers Walls of Segovia

Vera Cruz Church Vera Cruz means the True Cross. Built by the Knights Templar in 1208 to house a fragment of the True Cross. Features a unique 12-sided exterior with a tower on the south side. The Templar Iglesia Vera Cruz

City of Gardens Segovia has many beautiful parks and gardens. The Alcazar Gardens were created to honor the marriage in the Phillip II to Anne of Austria in Alcazar Gardens

Segovia Festivals San Frutos (October 25) celebrates the Patron saint of Segovia St. Fructus. The Easter processions in Segovia are famous throughout Spain. Titirimundi (May) celebrates puppetry and puppet theatre. International Festival Segovia (July) includes a number of music and dance (focusing on the flamenco) performances.

Sources Sacred Destinations: Spain Segovia Tourist Board Spain for Visitors