June 15: Segovia
At the end of today’s adventures, I asked students whether they preferred Segovia or Toledo, and they had a very hard time choosing a favorite (as did I!). Every day, I find a new reason to be proud of them and grateful to have them with me on this trip – they are learning so much, truly experiencing everything we see, making new friendships, supporting one another in challenging moments, and so much more. It’s been a couple of wonderful days and there is more to come!
Reflection by Samantha Nasti and Paige Blanding
Today we ventured out to Segovia, a gorgeous city located one and a half hours from Madrid. Upon arrival in the city, we were immediately awestruck by the Roman aqueduct. This aqueduct is the best-maintained one in the entirety of Europe. Our tour guide told us all about the history of the city and the surrounding region. We learned about the city’s changes, once when the Moors took over and again when it was reconquered by the Catholics. The aqueduct stretches from the mountains to the town, incorporating an invented compression system for arches and water canals at the top.
During this tour, we also recognized the beauty in the mountains, specifically the appearance of a woman lying down that you were unable to unsee! In the city’s square, we learned about Juan Bravo, an executed rebellious army leader against King Charles I. The square has a beautiful statue paying homage to him.
We toured the major cathedral in Segovia: Cathedral de Santa Maria de Segovia. This cathedral is a beautiful example of how Gothic and Romanesque architectural styles can coexist to create an incredible structure that reflects its purpose and the society and era in which it was created. This cathedral had the high arches and large stained glass windows typical of Gothic architecture, while also having thick, sturdy walls typical of Romanesque buildings. We then had an hour to ourselves, where we could venture off in the city to go eat lunch and shop!
Earlier in the trip, we walked past the Alcazar of Segovia, which inspired the castle shown in the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs film! After our break, we got to go inside the Alcazar and climb to the top of the castle tower! While the journey up the stairs was mildly terrifying, the final views were so incredibly worth it.
