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THE CITY

Segovia, famous for its touristic attraction and good food, is one of the most welcoming and beautiful cities in Spain. It is located in a rocky zone between two rivers, next to the Guadarrama mountains and just 90 kilometers (55 miles) from Madrid. To be so close to the high mountains produces an exhuberant wildlife, with beautiful forests and landscapes.

Segovia is known as the Ship of Stone. It is due to the side view of the Medieval Castle, El Alcázar, that hanging on the rocks seems to be the prow of a ship, while the tower of the Gothic Cathedral is the mast. Segovia is one of the richest cities of Spain in terms of monuments –including the Roman Aqueduct constructed more than 2000 years ago- and historical and cultural traditions. That is why it was recognized by UNESCO when in 1985 it declared Segovia World Heritage City.

Walking in Segovia you will find many convents, Romanic churches, and monasteries, even the medieval castle Alcázar, the Gothic Cathedral and the highest and best preserved Aqueduct from the ancient Roman Empire.

Each corner in Segovia has its own charm and particular history. In the Plaza Mayor you will find the Juan Bravo Theater, the Cathedral, the City Hall and the San Miguel Church, site where Isabel II was proclaimed Queen of Castilla before she sponsored Cristopher Columbus’ voyage to America. The Plaza Mayor, as a gathering place for the people of Segovia, is full of life, and it is also the site for frequent outdoors activities, such as the “Titirimundi” (World Festival of Puppets) or the ceremony to enthrone Isabel the Catholic as queen of Castile.

IN 1985 UNESCO DECLARES SEGOVIA A WORLD HERITAGE CITY.

WEATHER

Segovia has a mediterranean-continental weather. There are four distinct seasons. The yearly average temperature is around 11º C (50 ºF), while the average for the month of August is warm, around 20 ºC (70º F) and nights are cool, so Segovia becomes an ideal place for walking.

CULTURAL AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES

The cultural offerings of Segovia and its surroundings are very rich. These activities enhance and complement your education in Spanish since it will enable you to continue practicing and learning the language in its natural environment. Segovia is a candidate to be the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2016. This small city, with 55.000 inhabitants and 5.000 college students enrolled in its three Universities, is characterized by a quiet, joyful and relaxed atmosphere, and by the rich warm hospitality of an ancient city. Here you will have continuous opportunities to practice your Spanish, make friends and enjoy the fiesta atmosphere.

So, whenever you drop by Segovia you will find an interesting cultural event, such as the Festival of Narrators, storytellers that takes us to the Middle Age, medieval fairs, the Literature and Arts Hay Festival, the Jazz Festival, the International Festival of Folkloric Dances, the Festival of European Films, the Week of Chamber Music, the International Festival of Classical Music of Segovia, the European Celebration Day of Jewish Culture, etc…

The following is a calendar of some of the cultural events throughout the year:

SEGOVIA IS A CANDIDATE FOR THE

EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2016

And, if you want to participate in a world famous millennial pilgrimage, you can start in Segovia to walk the very famous trail of the Camino de Santiago, since Castilla is on the route to Santiago de Compostela. The Camino de Santiago route was declared World Heritage by UNESCO.

Spanish Traditions

In Segovia don´t forget to enjoy some of the Spanish traditions:

·“Tapas”. Going from bar to bar and having something small to eat in each – Drink sangria or a small beer called “caña”. Try tortilla, ham, cheese, chorizo, calamares, croquetas,….

·“Breakfast of “chocolate con churros” (hot chocolate with sweet deep-fried batter in the shape of horseshoes) in one of the cafes.

·“Going for a walk and window-shopping. Segovia is easily accessible without a car. Walking through its narrow streets and little plazas and parks in the Romanic style is an unforgettable experience. Segovia offers sun and pleasant sunsets. The weather of Segovia will allow you to enjoy the avenues in the walled city or the banks of the two rivers that surround it. You can have tapas in the cafés of the Plaza Mayor while contemplating the magnificent plaza and the Cathedral. You can go for a walk during the evening. The people of Segovia go out during the warm nights to sit in outdoor cafés to enjoy a relaxing moment.

Festivities

There are plenty of festivities and traditions in Segovia; not just in the city, but also in each town. They are unique and well preserved with the passage of time. The Águedas, for example, is a festival unique in all of Spain. In the town of Zamarramala they began to celebrate this festival more than 700 years ago…. You will see how the women take control of the town council and, for a day, have power over the town. If you visit Cuellar the last Sunday of the month of August, you will be able to participate in the oldest encierros, or corralling of the bulls, in Spain. The festivities of the Holy Week (Semana Santa) are recognized for their traditional religious displays, when the processions file through the streets of the city. Christmas time and carnival are also traditions in Segovia. Spring time is very special in Segovia due to the International Festival of Puppets Titirimundi, that each year floods the streets of the city with the best puppet-shows in the world.

Romerías and Verbenas

The city and all the villages in the province have their own fiestas: Romerías, huge parties with diverse acts, performances and music, games, food tasting… to celebrate a saint festivity, and Verbenas, open-air dances that can be considered the evening continuation of the Romería, lasting until very late at night, normally with life entertainment, and tons of other party activities for people of all age.

Nightlife

The city is constantly vibrant and has a pulsating nightlife. The residents of Segovia come alive at night when you will find bars, restaurants, terraces, discos and night clubs, but also cultural activities and fiestas in the open air.

Segovia is a good place for sceptics, for people who think it is just a quiet and peaceful place, because at night the city is quite the opposite. The busiest nights are on Thursday, Friday and Saturday when people begin quite early (for Spanish standards) with delicious tapas and later head on to the noisy bars or go for a somewhat more relaxing coffee. After four in the morning, the options are “after-hours” bars or clubs which are open until dawn.

Liveliest areas in Segovia

The following are some of the liveliest areas in Segovia:

The Old Part of the City – Paseo del Salón

In a stunning setting where the most varied atmospheres merge, there are typical Castilian tabernas (taverns, literally, but pubs or bars really) which are ideal for tapas, bars where you can delight in the latest music and even nightclubs for anyone who wants to stay out and make the night longer all along the Paseo del Salón. This is an area which on its own has everything for a great night out.

Las Rockas

In this area at the foot of the Aqueduct there are nightclubs to go to late into the night to enjoy a great atmosphere and the music of the day until dawn. What’s more, there are places to grab a bite before heading home.

San Millán

Throughout the length and breadth of this central area of the city there are a good number of bars and clubs for all tastes and ages with great atmospheres and good music.

Santo Tomás – Mahonías

This area is just stone’s throw from the Aqueduct and is an ideal spot to enjoy a fun game of darts or pool, whilst having an engaging chat and a drink. On the lower floor of the Mahonías shopping centre you can enjoy a lively night out in bars with a clearly student atmosphere.

Young, fun people who want to have a good time. That’s the kind of people you can find in Segovia, a city where different nationalities mix and there is a good balance on weekend nights. It is a beautiful city with a very entertaining nightlife.

Segovia is famous for its influence and participation on the culture of the theater. In the Juan Bravo Theater, situated in the Plaza Mayor, you can attend to first-run house of many of the plays that are later presented in Madrid and the rest of Spain.

Tours

If you’d like to get to know Segovia’s surroundings, we recommend you visit the Palace of La Granja and its impressive gardens of the XVIII century. On the top of a mountain is the picturesque town of Pedraza, famous for its medieval architecture perfectly preserved. Close to Pedraza you will discover the marvellous Hoces del Duraton (Gorges of Duraton), which are the outcome of the river that grants its name to them. There you will enjoy an unbelievable landscape of very high cliffs that are watched from above by the vultures and the Hermitage of the Saint, an excellent place from which to view the site.

We also recommend the tourist route of the castles and the routes of the Romanic art, Gothic art and Moorish art. On the route to the towns along the mountain range you will able to enjoy the enchantment of the landscape and the monuments, but also the gastronomy. In the towns of the province of Segovia you will find typical dish of the regional cuisine: cochinillo (suckling pig), lamb, judiones de la Granja, ponche segoviano (typical dessert) and wines of Rueda and the Ribera. In this way you will also be sharing everyday living with the local people.

And, if you want to participate in a world famous millennial pilgrimage, you can start in Segovia to walk the very famous trail of the Camino de Santiago, since Castilla is on the route to Santiago de Compostela. The Camino de Santiago route was declared World Heritage by UNESCO.

Located in the center of the country, Segovia is in close proximity to Madrid, the capital of Spain. You can go there to spend the evening or the weekend and enjoy the art, theatres, gastronomy, nightlife, etc.. Also from Segovia you can do day trips to monumental cities and towns such as Avila, Toledo, Salamanca, Aranjuez, Alcalá de Henares,…

Sports

If walking up and down the steep streets of Segovia isn't enough of a work out for you, there are plenty of other activities in the area to help you feel the burn.

The sun and the pleasant weather make Segovia an ideal place for practicing outdoor sports such as golfing, parapenting, trekking, biking, mountain biking, climbing, kayaking, canoeing,…

If your idea of a good time involves a trek through nature, then you'll want to head to the Parque Natural de las Hoces del Rio Duraton, located just northeast of Segovia. This river gorge is a great destination for birdwatchers, as it serves as a breeding ground for Griffin's vultures (we will help to get an admission pass to visit the park during the breeding season, which runs January through July). Other species you might see at the park include Egyptian eagles, sparrowhawks, and golden eagles.

Winter sports are a boon in the area, as there are several skiing areas located near to Segovia Navacerrada, Valdesqui, and La Pinilla are all great skiing destinations. Segovia is an ideal place for horse trail riding because there are many horse riding centers in the area.

Shopping

Shopping in Segovia is an interesting experience which allows one to participate in two activities in perfect harmony, sightseeing and shopping.

This is possible thanks to the distribution of the city, in which the main commercial areas correspond with the principal tourist routes, inviting one to a peaceful stroll round the shops, without crowds, which cater for all whims and needs, whilst enjoying a tranquil visit to the city.

Like all Medieval cities in which the principal commercial area surrounds the main square, with shops selling all kinds of products such as meat, fish, spices, oil, soap, bread, sugar, wine, fruit and vegetables etc, the commercial areas of Segovia  radiate outwards from the historic centre, according to the urban development of the city.  Shops may be found grouped in streets and zones such as the old quarter, Calle Real, Avenida Fernández (the two main pedestrian areas), Calle José Zorrilla, Avenida de la Constitución, train station, etc., not forgetting the small but active  trade in everyday goods in the other neighbourhoods and streets in the city.

For lovers of natural and seasonal produce, Segovia has inherited from its past and still maintains today the tradition of the open-air market.  These take place every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday throughout year in different parts of the city. 

Craft shops (leather, textiles, pottery, book binding etc)and antique shops also open their doors onto the streets of Segovia for all those in search of the authentic and/or anecdotal.  Two large craft fairs are held each year.

Open-air markets

Open-air markets are a great tradition in the city. In these one may find  fruits, vegetables  and legumes from the region, as well as clothing, flowers and traditional cakes and pastries.

To find out about today´s cultural events: http://www.turismodesegovia.com/agendaGeneral.asp

Gastronomy and wines

It is interesting to know that Segovian cuisine is world famous. Its gastronomic tradition has been maintained through the centuries. Land of meads, cheeses, vegetables and wines, to know Segovia is to taste the best gastronomy, its exquisite recipes and typical dishes, and we invite you to share the warmth of the table with its people.

You cannot miss the cochinillo, nor the chorizo of Cantimpalos or the judión de La Granja. Besides the typical dishes of the region, in Segovia you will also find all the variety of typical Spanish cooking: paella, tortilla de patatas, mariscos, pescados, etc.

And among its wines, those from the Rueda y Ribera del Duero regions, such as Bodegas Vega Sicilia y Pago de Carraovejas, are recognized and awarded worldwide. The region, Castilla y León, has five denominations of origin and eight official wine-producing regions. There are more than 400 wine cellars producing high quality wines, protected by councils that regulate each zone.