Segovia with the Butlers

On Sunday October 30th we took a day trip to Segovia. We went by bus which took one hour. It would have been half the time by train, however, it was cheaper and had free WIFI so that pleased everyone. After eating our picnic lunch in the town we went sightseeing, first to see the Roman aqueduct:

2000 year old Aqueduct built by the Romans to transport water from the mountains to the city of Segovia,
mainly to the Segovia Alcázar -only stopped being used  last century.

Plaza Azoguejo, Segovia
The aqueduct is 28.5m at its highest, including 6m of foundation

The Aqueduct was built with granite blocks and no mortar

The boys are at the top of the many steps where you can look out and see the top of the aqueduct

Taking a rest out of the sun on the way back down.

The Butlers and the Menkens are down there, heading back towards the Plaza Azoguejo.

Segovia Cathedral.
The Cathedral was built on the highest point of the city and took approximately 52 years to complete.

Climbing the hill to the Cathedral in Plaza Mayor.

still more to go!

Late Gothic style Catholic Cathedral.
Construction started in 1525 during the reign Carlos V.

Cathedral of Segovia in the Plaza Mayor

Segovia souvenirs

Alcázar of Segovia was originally built as a fortress made from wood. It became a palace in the middleages and the stone construction began while King Alfonso VIII and his wife Eleanor of Plantagenet used it as their principal home. Used as a palace most of the middleages it then became a state prison when the royal court moved to Madrid. 1762, it was used by the Royal Artillery school founded by Charles III. 1896 became a Military College, ordered by King Alfonso XIII. Most recenly it has inspired the fairytale castle in the movie - Sleeping Beauty. 

View of the Cathedral and behind the Guadarrama Mountains from the Alcázar

View of the Cathedral's bell tower (approximately 90m to the top of the spire)

Cafe Jema, Plaza Mayor

Enjoying the sun, the drinks and waiting for food.

Still waiting but enjoying the day.

Band Stand in Plaza Mayor with the Cathedral behind.
The view we had from the Cafe Jema.

End of our journey: From the Segovia Palace to Moncloa, Madrid.
 The official residence of the Prime Minister of Spain since 1977 is in the Palace of Moncloa (not shown).