Today I was able to visit Segovia with our favorite Monsignor. He is here visiting for several days. We could not have asked for a more perfect day. It was not too hot and the sky was an amazing azure blue all day.
Going back to some of the same cities my family and I have visited allows me the opportunity to focus on different aspects of the city. On this particular visit to Segovia, I focused on the interior of the cathedral, different views of the Alcázar, and a new site, the Church of the True Cross (Iglesia de la Vera Cruz).
The Monsignor and I took the M-601 highway to Segovia. The city is only about 66 kilometers (41 miles) from our home. As we got into the mountains, we stopped a couple of times so the Monsignor could take some photos. At one of our stops, near a small stream, we were passed by several vintage Jaguars, Aston Martins, and Mercedes. There was obviously some sort of rally going the opposite direction.
When we arrived in Segovia, I parked in an underground lot. It is the most unique parking garage in that there are lights above each parking space. If the space is empty the light is green. If there is a vehicle in the space the light is red. There are blue lights for handicap spots. The lights make it so easy to find a space. Rather ingenious!
The cityscape near the aqueduct.Monsignor Henry composing a shot of the aqueduct.The view along the west side of the aqueduct.Monsignor Henry was wondering why I was taking more photographs of him rather than the sites!Several parts of the parapet near the aqueduct had names scrawled upon them.The east side of the aqueduct.Shadow-play on the side of one of the buildings along our route.A car of the Guardia Civil. They are a military unit that handles police duties.The Torreón de los Arias Dávila (Tower of Arias Dávila) dates from the mid-15th century.A narrow building with beautiful flowers.A local police motorscooter.
After walking through the city and taking numerous photos, we found ourselves at the cathedral. The full name of the cathedral is Santa Iglesia Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción y de San Frutos (Holy Cathedral Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and of St. Frutos). The entrance fee to the cathedral is 3€ (US$3.66). The Monsignor paid the fees. We did not realize the ticket said photos are prohibited inside. We had taken photos like there was no tomorrow! Oops!
The Cathedral of Segovia catching the morning light.Monsignor Henry framing a photograph of the cathedral.The main entrance to the cathedral.Some fabrics for sale outside the cathedral.An art piece in one of the side chapels.Detail of an art piece in one of the side chapels.The pipe organ.The stone floor in the cathedral.A statue in one of the side chapels.The ceiling at one of the side chapels.A burial stone on the northwest side of the cathedral dates from 1666.Another nearby stone dates from 1669.A small sculpture honoring Our Lady of the Assumption near the tops of the two northwest doors of the cathedral.A partial view of the main altar.Another of the many side chapels.A statue of Jesus and St. Joseph.
Next, we made our way to the Alcázar. The Monsignor bought a ticket for himself that included the castle and the tower. Referring to my previous entry about Segovia, one knows for sure that my ticket was just for the castle! I went inside the castle and sat on a bench to wait for the Monsignor to enter.
Monsignor Henry and me in the mirror.A sundial on the side of a building on Calle de Daoiz.A stained-glass panel in the Alcázar.Detail of one of the ceilings in the Alcázar.Some homes below the north side of the Alcázar.Detail of The Adoration of the Magi in the chapel of the Alcázar.Detail of the Almohade Garden as seen from the Pit Terrace of the Alcázar.Looking up at the Torre del Homenaje (Tower of Tribute).Detail of the typical masonry on the exterior.
After leaving the Alcázar, we made our way back to the Plaza Mayor. We found a little café on the plaza, in the southeast corner. We both had a “sanwich mixto” which is a grilled ham and cheese. We left there and made our way back to the car. On the way, I was able to take a photo of the Casa de los Picas, the best one I have ever taken.
The view toward the Alcázar from the Wall of Segovia.A nun hanging laundry behind a property along Ronda de Don Juan II.Detail of some spires on the cathedral.The pause that refreshes.The Casa de los Picos on Calle Juan Bravo in Segovia.Descending Calle Cervantes toward the aqueduct.An iconic view of the west side of the aqueduct.
Back in the car, I drove us to the Vera Cruz Church. It was built by the Knights Templar in the early 13th century. It is a unique, twelve-sided structure. The church was not open so we were not able to go inside. After taking several photos at Vera Cruz, I drove to the south side of the Alcázar. This was a view I had not seen before. The combination of the sun and the sky made for some striking photos.
The Alcázar as seen from below.The Alcázar as seen from the Vera Cruz Church.The Vera Cruz Church.Detail of the stone cross.An entrance to the church on one of the twelve sides. The iconic Maltese Cross is clearly visible.Detail of the entrance door.Detail of the Maltese Cross.The western tip of the Alcázar.The south side of the Alcázar.
From there we made our way to San Ildefonso. Once there, we toured the palace and the gardens. The day remained just as beautiful there as it had been earlier.
After the tours, we returned home.
The fountains seem to extend forever at the Royal Palace of La Granja.Some sculptures at La Granja.A portion of the garden at La Granja.Some of the fountains step down from the hill.A partial view of the southeast side of the palace.Another of the many sculptures in the garden.The Fuente de la Selva (Jungle Fountain).Detail of the Neptune Fountain.The garden at the palace.The Fountain of Amphitrite, the wife of Poseidon.Detail of the fountain.Another view of the palace.A man walking dogs near the palace.
