Segovia: The castle, the cathedral and the aqueduct

Segovia is another common day trip from Madrid - about 30 minutes by high speed train (AVE) or an hour on the bus.

The AVE leaves from Chamartín station (not Atocha) and drops you about 6 km from the centre of Segovia, however the Number 11 bus meets all the train arrivals and goes into the centre of Segovia.

The No.11 trip is about 15 mins of travelling through the very ugly outskirts of Segovia until it winds down the hill to give a spectacular view of Segovia's famous aqueduct.

Looking down to the bus mall

Another view of the aqueduct

Aqueduct from the bus stop

The aqueduct was built in 1CE by the Romans and remained in active use until the 19th century.

The aqueduct terminates in the "Well room" of the Segovia Alcázar.

The Segovia Alcázar was originally a Roman fort, however, several newer constructions on the site have all but removed the original Roman structure. The current distinctive construction of the Alcázar is from the 16th century - the slate roofed spires being inspired by northern European architecture.

The inside if the Alcázar houses a museum and several artefacts from its time as a Royal residence up until the 19th century.

The original throne room

Restored hall of amor

Cannon

Original armoury

Unfortunately, many of the artifacts were destroyed in a fire in the 19th century, but some still remain while others where restored from detailed contemporaneous drawings.

The Cathedral from Plaza Mayor

The other landmark that Segovia is famous for is it's cathedral. In the 15th century its tower was one of the highest in Spain and it still commands impressive views of the city.

The Cathedral from the bellringers quarters

Segovia from the bell tower

Another view from the bell tower

The Cathedral from the bell tower

The bells in the bell tower

Climbing the 300 odd steps to the bell tower is quite exhausting and calls for a calorific lunch - luckily the local specialty is suckling pig's head which is just the thing after a day of wandering around Segovia.

Mmm suckling pig

Segovia is my last entry in Europe - next I am on to adventures in South America...

A day trip to Toledo

Toledo is a small town around an hour out of Madrid by train. It has many important historical features as it has existed since Roman times - there are several examples of Roman construction dating back to 1 CE.

Roman ruins under the glass floor of a clothes shop

These ruins were discovered while renovating a shop. Instead of closing the shop and demolishing the building, a see-through floor has been installed in a clothes shop so tourists can browse hipster fashion and Roman ruins at the same time.

In addition to the Roman ruins there are examples of architecture from the times that Toledo served as a centre of power for the Visigothic church. The current cathedral contains sections from this time.

Toledo Cathedral

Inside the Cathedral

The halls of the cathedral

Toldeo Cathedral from the tower of the Jesuit church

The Cathedral stands on the site of the old Visigothic church which was consecrated in 587 CE (and some elements of that old church can be seen in the base of the alter of one of the chapels). Construction of the current cathedral started in 1227 and it is an excellent example of Gothic design.

Toledo was also famous for its production of swords and armor - and there are several shops in which you can pick up a suit of full plate and chainmail with a stylish broadsword. Tempting though it was, I decided against such a purchase - something tells me I wouldn't be allowed on the plane ;)

Swords and other stuff you can't take on planes

Unfortunately many of the other Toledo monuments (such as the Alcázar) were closed on my visit (due to it being a Monday in the middle of winter), but the town is beautiful in and off itself and definitely worth visiting.

Streets of Toledo

View of the river from the bridge

Toledo town

Puerta del Sol

The bridge into Toledo

Barcelona: Modernismo!

Sagrada Familia

I've been doing a bit of "fast travel" lately and so have got quite behind in blogging.

The final destination in Spain was the city of  Barcelona - a city of art and architecture.

But before dipping into the modernist architecture of Gaudí - the history of Barcelona is equally interesting.

Montjüic has been an integral and often dark part of Barcelona's history. From its name (Jewish Mountain) alluding to the previous Jewish population before the expulsion in 1492 to its use as a fortress to subdue Barcelona's population (including several bombardments of the city) to its use in the Civil War (by both Republicans and Fascists) - the Castle has a dark history.

In fact, at various points in its history, the populace has wanted to rip it down.

The Castle can be accessed for €5 for just a wander around the grounds but to really get a feel for the castle's history, the guided tour is well worth another €5.

View from Montjüic

Another view from Montjüic

From the historical Barcelona to its modernism - Gaudí's architecture and the modernist style flavours much of the city.

Park Güel was a residential project sponsored by Güel and designed by Gaudí in the modernist style. It wasn't very successful as a residential project, but as a public park overlooking Barcelona exemplifying Gaudí's design, it is a thing of beauty.

The washerwoman sculpture

The park entrance

The guardhouse at the entrance

View of Barcelona from Park Güel

Another of Gaudí's buildings that can be seen in Barcelona is the fantastic Casa Batlló. The amazing design/functionality nexus in this house is difficult to describe - so I'll just post pictures of this beautiful design.

Casa Batlló

The entrance way

Windows in the main room

The fireplace

The lightwell

The back terrace

The chimneys

View from the roof

Equally Gaudí's Sagrada Familia van only really be shown in pictures, although the sheer grandeur of the place, it's use of light and the design that links nature to the divine can only be experienced by being there.

Of all the Cathedrals I've been to - this has been by far the most impressive.

La Sagrada Familia

Looking towards the alter

Stained glass

The death of Christ depicted

After the majesty of the Sagrada Familia it was definitely time for lunch at La Boca - one of the large markets in Barcelona.

And that is where I will leave Spain - next stop: a train journey to Montpellier, France.