Segovia's Walt Disney Castle
Fairy-tale Turrets With Glorious Views of Segovia
This Moorish monument in nothern Spain has a chequered past, but it nevertheless inspired Walt Disney who recreated it in his signature logo.
You’ve probably seen The Walt Disney castle logo used by the company, either having been to Disneyland or seeing a photograph of the amazing fairy princess castle, but is it a fairy-tale invention or a copy of reality?
The fantasy castle of many a childhood is in fact a copy of the most incredible castle in Spain. Walt Disney thought so too, and copied in detail every pinnacle and tower of the Alcazar in Segovia.
This Moorish fortress became a Palace to kings, and throughout it’s varied and troubled past it’s use and design changed rapidly. It was home to Juana la Loca, saw the coronationof Queen Isabel in 1474 and was host to the marriage of Philip II to his fourth wife, Anna of Austria.
The Alcazar became both home and prison to Royalty until 1762 when under Carlos III it became the Royal School of Artillery, and so it remained until an uprising of troops, who protesting to their base in Segovia, rather than Madrid, set it alight in 1862.
Its lengthy restoration project produced the incredible piece of fantasy medieval architecture and history that it portrays today. The Alcazar is open daily as a museum, make sure you don’t leave without taking a climb up the Torre de Juan II for the panoramic views over all of Segovia.
Other sights not to be missed are the Cathedral also restored by Charles I and the Roman aqueduct, an 894m bridge built from granite blocks with 163 arches. Built in 1st century AD it then stretched for 15 km, and was in use until the 19th century.
Segovia boasts a modern 4* Parador on the outskirts of the city that has been nicknamed mirador de Segovia - viewpoint of Segovia with unbeatable views of the city, there is no better place to stay, unless you want to be in the heart of the town.
Other sights not to be missed are the 11th-century Romanesque church, San Juan de los Cabelleros and the Vera Cruz an 13th century church which was founded by the Knights Templar.
For an even better view of Segovia why not take a hot-air balloon ride across the city with the most spectacular landascape sprawling out before you and what has to be the best view of the Alcazar.
See here for the official Paradors site.
Segovia is about 100km north –west of Madrid. Trains run frequently from Madrid.
