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| View of the Alcázar |
Transportation Time: Approximately 12 Minutes
Hours:
April - September 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
October - March 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Cost:
General $6.85/€5.00
Reduced $4.11/€3.00 (65 and older, groups, and students)
The Alcázar of Segovia is the main castle in Segovia.
Located near the Museum of Segovia and the Cathedral, the Alcázar was built
starting in the twelfth century by the Muslims during Muslim occupation in Spain and was later changed and used by many Castilian monarchs[1].
Known for its architecture, institutional and political significance, and its
symbolism, the Alcázar has remained an important part of Segovia’s past and
present.
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| Entrance |
Over the years, the Alcázar has held many important events.
On December 13, 1474 Isabel I was crowned queen of Castilla in Segovia and
lived at the Alcázar[2].
In 1570, Felipe II married Ana of Austria, his fourth wife, at the Alcázar of
Segovia and made many changes to the Alcázar during his stay[3].
Not only used as a castle, the Alcázar was used as a prison for two centuries
as well[4].
In 1762, King Carlos the third founded the Real Colegio de Artillería, or the artillery
college, that was housed in the Alcázar until 1862[5].
In 1862 there was a fire that destroyed part of the Alcázar that was not
rebuilt until 1882 and was not fully completed until 1896[6].
In 1898 the Archivo General Militar was created and in 1951 the Patronato del
Alcázar took over the conservation of the Alcázar[7].
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| Sala de Reyes |
The Alcázar has many different rooms and halls. In the main
entrance is the Sala del Palacio Viejo, which is the older part of the Alcázar
that dates back to King Alfonso X[8].
It contains many suits of armor from different parts of Segovia’s history. The next part of the Alcázar
is the the Sala de la Chimenea, which was the main receiving room of the
Alcázar and also the room that contains the only fireplace in the castle,
dating back to the sixteenth century[9].
The next room is the Sala del Solio, which is also the throne room; following the Sala del Solio is the Sala de la Galera, which was constructed in
1412 by Queen Catalina of Lancaster[10]. The Alcázar also contains
a church area, as well as the Sala de Reyes and the Museo del Real Colegio de
Artillería. The Sala de Reyes has replicas and pays tribute to the monarchs of
Asturias, Castilla, and León
and was created by Felipe II[11].
Both the Sala de Armas and the Museo del Real Colegio de Artillería contain the
history of the different arms used throughout the centuries of the Alcázar’s
use[12].
The Museo del Real Colegio de Artillería also details the history of the Real
Colegio de Artillería that was originally located in the Alcázar.
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| Sala del Palacio Viejo Suit of Armor |
The Alcázar of Segovia is overall one of the notable places
to visit in Segovia. Easily accessible, it contains the history of not only the
castle, but the history of Segovia and the changes of the times it underwent. Preserving
the history of Segovia, the Alcázar of Segovia remains a monument to its past
and continues to the present.
Works Cited
“Brochure,” “El Alcázar.” Patronato
del Alcázar de Segovia (2014).
“Historia,” alcazardesegovia.com, Patronato
del Alcázar de Segovia, 2014, http://www.alcazardesegovia.com/historia-alcazar-de-segovia
(accessed February 14, 2014).
[1] Brochure, “El Alcázar,” Patronato del Alcázar de Segovia (2014).
[2] “Historia,” alcazardesegovia.com, Patronato del Alcázar de Segovia, 2014, http://www.alcazardesegovia.com/historia-alcazar-de-segovia
(accessed February 14, 2014).
[3]
Brochure
[4]
Ibid.
[5]
Ibid.
[6]
Ibid.
[7]
Ibid.
[8] “Historia,” alcazardesegovia.com, Patronato del Alcázar de Segovia, 2014.
[9] “Brochure,” “El Alcázar,” Patronato del Alcázar de Segovia (2014).
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.
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