Segovia history

The history of Segovia is rooted in deep antiquity. Initially, a fortified Celtic settlement existed in this territory; however, Segovia began to take shape as a proper city after the Roman conquest of Spain, around 80 BC. The first written mentions of the city appear in the works of the Roman historian Titus Livius in the context of the Sertorian War, where the settlement is described as a strategically important point.

The development of the city was predetermined by a unique combination of natural and geopolitical conditions:

• Geography and Defence: The city was founded on a high rocky promontory, washed by the rivers Eresma and Clamores. This location turned Segovia into a natural fortress that was easy to defend.
• Transport Routes: Segovia was situated at the intersection of important Roman roads connecting the north and the centre of the Iberian Peninsula, which facilitated the development of trade.
• Political Power: In the Middle Ages, the city acquired a special status, becoming one of the favourite residences of the monarchs of Castile, which ensured an influx of investment and an architectural flourishing.

From the earliest stages of its existence, the city demonstrated a high level of engineering culture. The main proof of this is the famous Roman Aqueduct, built in the 1st–2nd centuries AD without the use of binding mortar — a masterpiece that provided residents with water and symbolized the power of the empire.

Economically, Segovia's early prosperity was based on agriculture and livestock farming. Later, the city became a vital centre for cloth production and the wool trade, which allowed for the formation of a wealthy class of citizens and the construction of numerous Romanesque churches that have survived to this day.

Ancient World and Middle Ages

• Approx. 80 BC — The Romans establish their authority over the Celtic settlement, turning it into an important military and trading post.
• Late 1st — Early 2nd Century AD — Construction of the monumental Roman Aqueduct, which supplied the city with water for many centuries.
• 714 — The Moorish conquest leads to a decline of the city, which remains practically abandoned for some time.
• 1088 — King Alfonso VI the Brave begins a large-scale campaign to restore and repopulate Segovia.
• 1122 — The first documentary mention of the Alcázar fortress, which later became a royal residence.
• 13 December 1474 — Isabella I of Castile is proclaimed Queen in the Church of San Miguel, a key event in the unification of Spain.

Modern Era and Contemporary Times

• 1520 — Segovia becomes one of the centres of the Revolt of the Comuneros led by the local nobleman Juan Bravo.
• 1525 — Construction begins on the new Cathedral on the site of the destroyed old temple; it is the last great Gothic cathedral in Spain.
• 1764 — By decree of King Charles III, the Royal Artillery College opens in the Alcázar castle.
• 1808 — The city is looted by French troops during the Peninsular War.
• 1862 — A severe fire in the Alcázar destroys the roof and interiors, requiring a lengthy reconstruction of the building.
• 1985 — The historic centre of Segovia and its Aqueduct are officially included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Key Stages of Development

The evolution of Segovia is a journey from a strategic military outpost to a thriving industrial centre and a modern cultural capital of the region. Below are the main milestones that defined the current appearance and status of the city:

• Roman Engineering Urbanisation. The construction of the monumental aqueduct in the 1st–2nd centuries not only solved the water supply problem for the upper city but also set the vector for urban planning, becoming the axis around which residential quarters developed for millennia.
• Medieval Renaissance and the "Romanesque Boom". In the 11th–12th centuries, after a period of desolation, the active repopulation of the city led to a construction surge. During this time, a dense street network was formed, and an unprecedented number of churches in the Romanesque style were erected, making Segovia a unique open-air museum.
• Golden Age of Cloth Making (15th–16th Centuries). Thanks to the powerful development of sheep farming and the organisation of the "Mesta" (Council of Shepherds), the city turned into the largest centre of the textile industry in Castile. The economic upturn allowed the local aristocracy to build luxurious mansions (such as the Casa de los Picos), which adorn the historic centre to this day.
• Political Centralisation. In the 15th century, Segovia established itself as a key residence of the Trastámara dynasty. The coronation of Isabella I secured the city's status as the political core of the emerging Spain, ensuring an influx of the best architects and artists of the time.
• Urban Renovation of the 16th Century. After the destruction caused by the Revolt of the Comuneros, the city underwent significant changes. The main symbol of recovery was the construction of the new Cathedral on the site of the old Jewish quarter, which finally formed the city's silhouette ("The Lady of Cathedrals").
• Scientific and Military Reorientation (18th Century). The establishment of the Royal Artillery College in the Alcázar by Charles III transformed the medieval fortress into an advanced educational centre of the Enlightenment era, attracting a scientific elite and engineers to the city.
• Modern Musealisation. The inclusion of the old city and the aqueduct in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985 became a turning point for Segovia's modern economy, reorienting it towards international cultural tourism and the preservation of the historical environment.

Architectural Chronicle in Stone

The urban structure of Segovia is unique due to its location on a rocky cliff resembling the shape of a ship, where the Alcázar serves as the bow and the Cathedral as the mast. The space limited by the fortress walls defined the dense buildings and preserved the medieval street layout, especially in the old Jewish quarter (Judería).

The architectural appearance of the city was formed over centuries, creating an amazing synthesis of styles:

• Roman Antiquity (1st–2nd Centuries AD):

  The dominant feature of the era is the Aqueduct — a masterpiece of civil engineering. Its style is characterised by monumentality, functionality, and the "dry masonry" of granite blocks without the use of mortar. This structure set the scale for all subsequent construction in the lower part of the city.

• Romanesque Style (11th–13th Centuries):

  Segovia is often called the "city of Romanesque churches". The local architectural school has a unique feature — the presence of covered external galleries (porticos), which served as meeting places for citizens (for example, the churches of San Miguel, San Millán, and San Martín). This period is characterised by massive walls, semicircular arches, and tall bell towers.

• Mudéjar (12th–15th Centuries):

  The influence of the Moors can be traced in the use of brick and decorative wooden ceilings (artesonado). Striking examples include the tower of the Church of San Nicolás and the interiors of the Alcázar, where Christian forms intertwine with Islamic ornamentation.

• Late Gothic (16th Century):

  Segovia Cathedral is one of the last Gothic cathedrals built in Europe (already during the Renaissance era). The style is distinguished by an abundance of decorative elements, pinnacles, stained glass windows, and complex ribbed vaults, for which the temple received the nickname "The Lady of Cathedrals".

• Renaissance and Civil Architecture (15th–16th Centuries):

  The era of prosperity in the cloth industry gifted the city with magnificent noble palaces with inner courtyards (patios). An iconic building is the House of the Peaks (Casa de los Picos), the façade of which is decorated with granite pyramids, creating a play of light and shadow.

A Unique Decorative Feature: Sgraffito

Speaking of Segovia's architecture, one cannot fail to mention the sgraffito (esgrafiado) technique. This is a special method of façade decoration, likely derived from the Moorish tradition, which became a hallmark of the city in later eras. The plaster on the walls of houses is scratched in a special way, creating complex geometric or floral patterns. This décor gives even simple residential buildings an elegant and noble appearance, uniting diverse buildings into a single ensemble.

Famous Names in the City's History

The history of Segovia was created by outstanding people: monarchs were crowned here, great poets created their works, and national heroes performed feats. Below are key figures whose names are forever inscribed in the city's chronicle.

• Alfonso X the Wise (1221–1284)
  King of Castile and León, astronomer, poet.
  The monarch often used the Alcázar of Segovia as his residence. It was here that he engaged in astronomical observations and worked on the famous "Alfonsine Tables". Legend has it that during his stay in the castle, a severe thunderstorm occurred, which was considered divine wrath for his scientific audacity.
• Isabella I of Castile (1451–1504)
  Queen of Castile and León.
  One of the most influential women in the history of Spain. Her connection with the city is fundamental: on 13 December 1474, she was proclaimed Queen in the Church of San Miguel. This event became the starting point for the unification of Spanish lands and the beginning of the Age of Discovery.
• Juan Bravo (approx. 1483–1521)
  Castilian nobleman, military commander.
  A national hero of Segovia and one of the leaders of the Revolt of the Comuneros against Emperor Charles V. He led the city militia in the struggle for the rights of local cities. He was executed but remained a symbol of freedom for Segovians; a monument to him stands in the city centre.
• Andrés Laguna (1510–1559)
  Physician, pharmacologist, humanist of the Renaissance.
  A native of Segovia who became the physician to Pope Julius III and Emperor Charles V. He became famous as a translator and commentator on the works of Dioscorides, making a huge contribution to the development of botany and medicine. He is considered one of the most educated people of his time.
• Saint John of the Cross (San Juan de la Cruz) (1542–1591)
  Christian mystic, poet, reformer of the Carmelite Order.
  Although he was not born here, his final years and spiritual heritage are closely linked to Segovia. He founded a monastery of Discalced Carmelites here, where his tomb is located. His poetry is considered the pinnacle of Spanish mystical literature.
• Antonio Machado (1875–1939)
  Poet, playwright, thinker of the "Generation of '98".
  The great Spanish poet lived in Segovia for 13 years (from 1919 to 1932), teaching French at a local institute. The city's atmosphere inspired many of his works. The house where he rented a modest room has now been turned into a memorial museum.
• Pedro Delgado (born 1960)
  Professional cyclist, television commentator.
  A famous native of Segovia, known as "Perico". Winner of the Tour de France (1988) and two-time winner of the Vuelta a España. He is an honorary citizen of the city and a sports legend who inspired a generation of Spanish cyclists.