Today the group went on an excursion to Segovia where we saw the Palacio Real de Riofrio and its nature reserve, Alcazar, and The Cathedral of Segovia. A little background on each:
Palacio Real de Riofrio--This is an Italian Style Palace made in the 18th century for Isabella Farnese, widow of King Phillip V of Spain. Afterwards her inhabitants it remained as a royal hunting lodge until it was sold and converted to a ham factory in the 20th century. During its time as a factory however, the outside of the palace remained the same.
Alcazar--First a muslim fortress that was converted to a castle and was the seat of government for the Reyes Católicos, Ferdinand and Isabel, whose marriage united the country against the Moors and eventually expelled them. The Castle sits atop a hill and is surrounded by water which is a natural defense.
Segovia and Cathedral of Segovia--Segovia was the capital of Spain until it was moved to Toledo a couple centuries later. It was the center of business and started as a Roman colony because it was in the middle of the Iberian Peninsula which provided a place of centrality for this part of the empire. Today, the modern city gates are the remains of the Roman Aqueduct which functioned until the 20th century. The Cathedral of Segovia, finished in 1527 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary is done in the Gothic style of art, and contains different chapels dedicated to rich families who donated to the church.
The day was amazing to see and made me appreciate history more than I had in a long time.
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