Segovia is a Spanish city of about 55,000 people in the Castile-Leon province of Spain, about an hour north of Madrid.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old city of Segovia is spectacularly situated atop a long, narrow promontory.
It contains a wealth of monuments, including a cathedral, a magnificent ancient Roman aqueduct, and the beautiful fairy-tale spires of the Alcázar, or castle-palace, that towers over the countryside below.
Scattered about the city are a half a dozen Romanesque churches of great interest, and a church that was once a synagogue.
The Roman aqueduct of Segovia, probably built c. A.D. 50, is remarkably well preserved. This impressive construction, with its two tiers of arches, forms part of the setting of the magnificent historic city of Segovia.
The Aqueduct of Segovia is one of the most significant and best-preserved ancient monuments left on the Iberian Peninsula. It is the foremost symbol of Segovia, as evidenced by its presence on the city’s coat of arms.
At the end of the 20th century, a German archaeologist managed to decipher the text on the dedication plaque of the aqueduct by studying the anchors that held the now missing bronze letters in place. Using this method, he was able to determine that in actuality it was the Roman Emperor Domitian who ordered its construction.
The aqueduct transports waters from Fuente Fría River, situated in the nearby mountains, from the city in a region known as La Acebeda.
The first reconstruction of the aqueduct took place during the reign of the King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile. A total of 36 arches were rebuilt, with great care taken not to change any of the original work or style.
The aqueduct is the city’s most important architectural landmark. It had been kept functioning throughout the centuries and is preserved in excellent condition. It even provided water to Segovia until recently! Because of decay of stone blocks, water leakage from the upper viaduct, and pollution that caused the granite masonry to deteriorate and crack, the site was listed in the 2006 World Monuments Watch by the World Monuments Fund. Contrary to popular belief, vibrations caused by traffic that used to pass under the arches did not affect the aqueduct due to its great mass.
Spain brought together the Ministry of Culture, the regional government of Castilla y León, and other local institutions to collaborate in implementing the project, and provided assistance through the global financial services company American Express. The Aqueduct is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We walked the entire length of the Aqueduct, while gazing up in wonderment. You can actually walk along the top………of course chicken Tin Man said no to that idea!
It was quite amazing to see this impressive architectural achievement. The excitement and physical activity worked up an appetite, so off in search of culinary delights, we went.
We found an ancient place, Meson El Cordero
and what a delight it was….
The Bean Soup was our very favorite….it is a traditional dish from the area….
….followed by the Roast Suckling Pig…
…and a marvelous assortment of sweets…
Thank you for joining me in this walk under the Aqueduct of Segovia…
…we have been traveling about Europe for the past six weeks and I plan to share many more stories with you soon….
Tales and Travels of the Tinman 
Will look forward to the reports of travel…hope you kept your oil can handy…smile…the horse fellow
Hey Horse Fellow………so wonderful to be home! Can’t wait to spend more time with you.
That’s just beautiful! I’ve been wondering how your travels are going, so thanks for the update. How much longer will you be there, and where to next? So exciting!!
Greetings Jennifer!!!! We toured Europe for six weeks……..Portugal, Spain, France, Monaco, Italy from top to bottom, Sicily, Malta and Switzerland. I did not post from the road…….decided to fully relax and enjoy…..will be posting the trip bit by bit now…..
That’s very smart of you, and I’m sure you thoroughly enjoyed your vacation. Can’t wait to hear about it!
The bean stew looks delicious! will you be recreating it? I’m looking forward to reading more from your adventures 🙂
Thank you my dear……….since our last visit I ran out to the garden and had a talk with the asparagus regarding the fritatta…..on is on course!
That’s wonderful news! Say hello to the asparagus for me 😀
I love this post and I am looking forward to more posts about your trip. I had missed your posts and comments and just assumed you were afar!
Yes……….we have returned after six weeks of touring: Portugal, Spain, France, Switzerland, Monaco, Italy top to bottom, Sicily and Malta..did not blog from the road, wanted to enjoy each and every moment. Thanks for missing me!
We loved our time in Sergovia with you two. Roast suckling pig – be still my heart. XXoo V.
Ahhhhhhhhh a woman after my own heart! Yes, many a piggy found his way to our plates. So delightful.
Looks like your having a wonderful time over there. Rather jealous really.
Thanks for sharing the story of the aqueduct and enlighten my day.
And I know you’re traveling, but if you have a chance don’t miss out on my current giveaway: http://sports-glutton.com/2013/05/23/thirsty-thursday-grand-tetons-oud-bruin-giveaway/
Cheers!
My dear Tin Man,
A brief note to welcome both of you home after what sounds like a wonderful trip. Wise of you to take the time to relax while on the road. I look forward to reading and viewing photos of your trip. This one had my mouth watering for so many reasons especially when looking at the beans and almost being able to taste the suckling piggy. I can’t wait for more.
The Singing Songster xx
Oh my Dearest Songster………thank you so much for your kind words! We are happy to be home and now reflecting on all the marvelous sights, sounds, smells and tastes of our voyage.
Welcome home…I know the two of you must have had a wonderful trip. It has been years since I was in Spain…we love revisiting the area with you.
Thank you so very much Karen. I have so many stories to post………better focus!
I think you whole life is a series of stories…:)
LOL………….I was just on facebook sharing memories of when I owned a wine bar / bistro and a customer pointed to the rafter and said “look there are panties up there!” and I proclaimed “Oh My Yes …………..and they are mine!!”…………yes, some stories will not make it to this blog!…….hehehehehe
Very interesting post – I like trying local dishes too and your pictures are wonderful!
Thank you so much. We are trying so hard to find those beans from Avila ….. El Barco Judico…I want to grow those!
Thank you, Tin Man, for inviting us on a tour of the aqueducts of Segovia and then to lunch! I shall look forward to many more tales of your adventures. I have missed you! And thank you for the kind thought of bringing me flowers. Have a wonderful weekend. I hope you got some of that rain last Friday and Saturday.
We had wonderful rains and the flowers are blooming like crazy. We are harvesting turnips, beets, asparagus radishes and other goodies from the garden already! You keep getting better and I send you virtual flowers everyday, my friend!
This must be part of your recent great adventure. I’m always interested in food of an area, so I’m glad you shared some photos. I would probably have asked for seconds of the bean soup, especially if it meant having more of the crusty bread!
Yes, this is from the recent travels……….I have gotten old and lazy and need to do a lot more posting!!! The bean soup was off the chart amazing. The beans are called El Barco de Judico, can’t find them here they are all over in Avila……….wish I had pocketed a few to plant!
Pingback: Travelling to Spain – Top 5 places to visit | Family Camping Reviews
Pingback: Un Sábado en Segovia | Sweet Connie Caroline
Hey, We have been checking out your blog and we must say that we are very impressed. It’s really great.
We have particularly been following your posts about Segovia as we visited there too. We have even written a guide, which you can check out here: http://hitchhikershandbook.com/country-guides/spain-2/segovia/. We would love your feedback and any tips, information, advice that you might have would be warmly appreciated.
Keep up the good work!
Ania & Jon