Alcázar of Segovia

The Alcázar of Segovia (literally, Segovia Castle) is a castle, located in the old city of Segovia, Spain. Rising out on a rocky crag above the confluence of two rivers near the Guadarrama mountains, it is one of the most distinctive castle-palaces in Spain by virtue of its shape – like the bow of a ship. The Alcázar was originally built as a fortress but has served as a royal palace, a state prison, a Royal Artillery College and a military academy since then. It is currently used as a museum and a military archives building.

History

The Alcázar of Segovia, like many fortifications in Spain, started off as an Arab fort, which itself was built by the Berber dynasty Almoravid, on a Roman fort but little of that structure remains. The first reference to this particular Alcázar was in 1120, around 32 years after the city of Segovia returned to Christian hands (during the time when King Alfonso VI reconquered lands to the south of the Duero river down to Toledo and beyond). However, archaeological evidence suggests that the site of this Alcázar was once used in Roman times as a fortification.

Segovia

Segovia (/sɪˈɡoʊvɪə/; Spanish pronunciation: [seˈɣoβja]) is a city in the autonomous region of Castile and León, Spain. It is the capital of Segovia Province.

Etymology

The name of Segovia is of Celtiberian origin. The first inhabitants named the city Segobriga. This name comes from two terms of the Celtiberian language of the Celtic branch of Indo-European. The term Sego means «victory» (the prefix is also present in other city names such as Segeda and Segontia, cf. German "Sieg") and the suffix -briga would mean «city» or «strength». So the name might be translated as "City of the victory" or "Victorious city".

Under the Romans and Arabs, the city was called Segovia (Σεγουβία, Ptolomeo ii. 6. § 56) and Šiqūbiyyah (شقوبية‎) respectively.

Geography

Location

Segovia is located on the plains of Old Castile, near Valladolid and the Spanish capital, Madrid.

Segovia is one of nine provinces that make up the autonomous region of Castile and León. Burgos and Valladolid lie to the north, Ávila to the west, Madrid and Guadalajara to the south, and Soria to the east. The altitude of the province varies from 750 metres (2,461 feet) in the extreme northwest to a maximum of 2,430 m (7,972 ft) at Peñalara peak in the Sierra de Guadarrama.

Province of Segovia

Segovia (Spanish pronunciation: [seˈɣoβja]) is a province of central/northern Spain, in the southern part of the autonomous community of Castile and León. It is bordered by the province of Burgos in the north, Soria in the northeast, Guadalajara in the east, Madrid in the south, Ávila in the west and southwest, and Valladolid in the northwest. The average temperature ranges from 10 °C to 20 °C.

Overview

The province has a population of 149,286, of whom about 35% live in the capital, Segovia. Of the 209 municipalities in the province, more than half are villages with under 200 people.

The origin of the name Segovia is said of Celtiberian origin, but also thought it was derived from the Visigoth conquest and occupation of Castile by the Goths, a Scandinavian / Germanic tribe lived in Castile from the 4th to 6th centuries AD. The provincial corporation consists of 25 elected members. After the recent elections there are 10 members of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party and 15 of the People's Party. The historical heritage of this province is rich and varied. The capital city has the 800 metres long Roman Aqueduct of Segovia, which is unique to the province. The capital was declared a world heritage site in 1985. Sepúlveda, Ayllón, Pedraza, Coca and La Granja de San Ildefonso villages attract a large number of tourists. La Granja de San Ildefonso houses a national monument–The Royal Palace. Antonio Machado's house is located in Ayllón. Tourism is one of the most important industries. In July 2014, the provincial government signed an agreement with Bankia. Bankia will contribute 10,000 euros to promote the province's tourism industry. Agriculture also has a significant contribution in the province's Gross Domestic Product. Wheat, barley, rye and rice have been the most important cereals. During the seventeenth century many of the province's towns recorded decline in cereal production. Cattle rearing is also an important commercial activity.

Segovia (disambiguation)

Segovia is a city in Spain.

Segovia may also refer to: