I had never heard of Segovia, but friends of mine told me all about it after they took a day trip there while visiting Madrid. So, I had to go see for myself.
Segovia is about 60 miles from Madrid and I didn't have a car. But, in Europe, that's no problemo as you can generally find a train to get you there. If I took a 'regular' train, it would take about 2 hours with multiple stops. So, I opted for the FAST train which blasts along at 120 mph, no stops, and got me there in 22 minutes for $20.
When we were arriving, I kept looking out the window to spot the town. Nada. Outside my window all I saw was flat, semi-barren, golden nothing. I thought, 'no biggie', the town must be hidden from sight by the train station. I got off and walked outside. Still nada. It was the end of the line and the train station was in the middle of nowhere! I quickly found out I had to hop a bus for $2 to be shuttled to Segovia a few miles away.
I like architecture...which includes lamposts.
From the bus stop I walked 4-5 blocks to the center of town, passing a few interesting structures.
Then, YIPES!! I caught sight of the enormous Roman Viaduct looming over the main square!!
FUN FACTS !!
- The Roman aqueduct was built around 1 AD !!! Some reconstruction was done in the 15th and 16th centuries but it wasn't until the 1970's and 1990's that conservation intervention plans were put in place to address erosion, vibrations, and pollution from vehicles.
- It once transported water from its source in the mountains, nearly 10 miles to the city it served.
- At its tallest, the aqueduct reaches a height of over 93ft
- It is constructed of unmortared granite blocks...meaning they're just sitting on one another...an ancient version of 'Legos'!
- It provided water to Segovia until the mid 19th century.
- I wonder....
- how did they lift those stones into place?
- where did the stones come from, how were they transported, how were they cut?
- and, in the curves of the arches, who held the block in place while the next was inserted to hold the one before it, and the next, and the next until the last one was crammed in? And, what if the last one was too small or too big to fit in the last space? Did that arch come crumbling down and they had to start all over again?
I found it hard to wrap my brain around it.
Look Ma! No mortar!!
Look at the top/center of the arch...the center keystone. Now, go back and re-read my last question above.
I rest my case. No further questions Your Honor!
Ok, so there's no mortar.
Maybe Guerilla Glue?
I followed the flow of pedestrians, up flights of stairs, then through the narrow old-town streets, headed to the Cathedral.
Along the way were structures with very artistically creative exterior wall designs I've never seen before.
What great ideas!
I KNOW my friend 'Cherry' will 'oooh' and 'ahhhh'.
Uh oh....I have a feeling Cherry is going to make a project for Reg involving the side of their house!!
RUN REG.......RUN!!!
Segovia Cathedral
- The Segovia Cathedral is considered the last Gothic cathedral built in Spain and one of the last in all of Europe.
- Construction began in 1525 and it was consecrated in 1768...243 years after the first stone was laid.
- It has 22 chapels, and...
- 161 stained glass windows, and...
- 167 pinnacles, and the...
- tower is 289 feet tall.
In front of the Cathedral is Plaza Major.
Yes, it's common for Spanish cities to have plazas and streets of the same name.
Plaza Major - Palma
Plaza Major - Barcelona
Plaza Major - Madrid
Plaza Major - Segovia
...you get the idea.
Walking back to the bus stop.
Back to the train station to head back to Madrid.
See what I mean? NADA!!
The high speed rail lines leading back to Madrid, through them thar hills via a lonnnnnng tunnel.
Welp, that ends my 2nd trip to Madrid.
Next up....Pair Ree!!
Dano
