Segovia

Cathedral: As seen from the Alcazar.

Aqueduct: Built by 1st century Romans, the Aqueduct was in use until about 100 years ago. This has become a symbol of Segovia.

Cathedral: This cathedral was begun in 1525 and was consecrated in 1678. It replaces the "old" cathedral destroyed by fire in 1520. The interior is light with elegant vaulted ceilings.

Alcazar: The fortress is on the city's western end. It rises above a sheer cliff and features multiple gabled roofs and all the turrets a castle afficianado might want. During a fire in 1862, it was partially destroyed and what you see today is a reconstruction. In side is a museum with an interesting collection of middle age armor and weapons.

Alcazar: An interior window.

Across a small valley from the old city of Segovia lies a Parador where we stayed. This is the view from our balcony.

Inside the walled city, the main cathedral and its spectacular tower.

Standing in the center of the Plaza Mayor, the cathedral again ... this time from the front.

Standing in the center of the Plaza Mayor, the cathedral again ... this time from the front.

Standing in the center of the Plaza Mayor, the cathedral again ... this time from the front.

The symbol of Segovia is the 1,000 year old aqueduct. Here the aqueduct is lit up at night. And just to the right, our favorite restaurant Casa de Candido beckons the late night diner. A warm haven on a cold night.

In the contrast of bright lights on a dark night, it is easy to see the individual stones of the aqueduct. These stones were laid in place 1,000 years ago without benefit of mortar or cement. Held in place by gravity and perfectly balanced forces of weight and mass, they stand today unaltered by time.

When we were in Segovia last, we didn't venture around the back of the Alcazar. Had we done so, we would have been much more impressed with its impregnable nature.

Like the bow of a great ship, the Alcazar stands watch over the valley.

What feast goes on inside? What ceremony? What of the life of the Nobility of Spain's renaissance? We can only guess, but the image makes guessing easier, I think.