ungkler: A Magical Place On Its Own

Segovia
Autumn 2011

Dwarfed by the El Acueducto in Segovia
(Nov-2011)

Journal Entry... Leafing through the pages of my Spain travel book choosing for possible destinations, I put a STAR* on Segovia. Segovia is known for two main landmarks: the El Acueducto - a Roman aqueduct, and the Alcazar - a fortress claimed to be Walt Disney's inspiration to Sleeping Beauty's castle.

Two Peas in Segovia

7-nov: Day trip to Segovia... I had to make that mental note to ride Bus no. 8 to the old town of Segovia, from the Segovia train station; Bus no. 8 stops right in front of the Roman aqueduct. Outside the Segovia train station were two buses idling by the curb... Bus no. 8, and [Forget-the-Bus]. Everybody walked to Bus no. 8. "Tourists..." I said. Bus no. 8 was the bestseller it got full instantly there was no room for two more. Bus no. 8's approach would have given a stunning approach to the Roman aqueduct. Next time, make a run, run, RUN for Bus no. 8!

Roman aqueduct
in Segovia

Hubby and I had a choice, whether to wait for the next Bus no. 8 and pass the time, or to ride the (still) waiting-to-be-full [Forget-the-Bus]. What if that Bus no. 8 that had just left was the same bus returning to the station, I thought. We had to settle riding [Forget-the-Bus] to get on with the day tour to Segovia immediately. [Forget-the-Bus] lady driver was the surprise in what I would suppose is a male-denominated country, like Spain. The lady driver assured us we'd get to Segovia in her bus as well. The only difference, [Forget-the-Bus] took the backdoor route, and bus stop in the old town was a block away to the Roman aqueduct.

Cityscape of the old town of Segovia fortified by stone walls

Segovia square

True to description, the El Acueducto (Roman aqueduct) is an "engineering wonder that looks like a comb plunged into Segovia. -Lonely Planet" At its foot is the "Remus & Romulus with the She-Wolf" statue attributing the aqueduct that brought water to the city to the Romans. Beside it were the steps to the old town, best for photo-op in capturing a two-dimensional effect from the Roman aqueduct.

This way to the Alcazar...

Between the Roman aqueduct and the Alcazar (fortress) were the usual Plaza Mayor (main square) and Catedral (main church). Segovia's cathedral charged an entrance fee on all days, except Sundays; it was a Saturday when we visited. From the cathedral, a winding street led straight to the fortress. I was excited by then to see for myself how far the Alcazar did inspire Sleeping Beauty's castle. I quickened my steps and the Alcazar came into full view. So what do you think?

Was Segovia's Alcazar the inspiration to Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty's castle? Hmm...

Spiraling to
a fortress tower

"Rapunzel towers, turrets topped with slate witches' hats and a deep moat at its base - Lonely Planet," was how the travel book had described the Alcazar de Toledo. Entry tickets gave access to Torre de Juan II (Watchtower). Although, those terracota spiral steps to the watchtower was not for the fainthearted. One's motivation to climb up the Alcazar's watchtower is for the sweeping vista of Segovia.

El Bernardino restaurant

If ever Segovia's Alcazar did serve to inspire others to dream big, one thing is certain, that is, Segovia is MAGICAL* on its own terms. Hubby and I ended the day trip with a traditional serving of Segovia's version of cochinillo and sopa de judias. That still crowded #RestauranteElBernardino on Calle Cervantes past 3PM was our hint that it was the go-to restaurant by one in such a famished state when in Segovia.