The Conquistador Express

SPAIN

THE COUNTRY AND THE PEOPLE

 

Capital of Spain: Madrid

Population: 40 million

Size: 504,782 sq km (194,897 sq mi).

Languages spoken: The most prominent of the languages of Spain is Spanish but also Basque, Catalan, Galician, Aranese                                   

Typical Food: Gazpacho ,Tortilla Española, Flan, Mazapanes, Chocolate a la Española

Churro

Money used (Currency) :Euro 

Type of Government: democracy

Typical Dance(s): Jota Aragonesa, Sardana, Muñeira, Zambra, Bolero, Fandango, Fandango, Flamenco        

Most popular Sport: Football (soccer)

World Famous Museum: Del Prado Museum in Madrid

 

Spanish Flag:

 

Where is Segovia on the map? Just north of Madrid

  

SEGOVIA

Summarized the history of Segovia.

Originally founded by the Celts, Segovia was an important Roman settlement before its later domination by the Visigoths and Moors. After it fell to the Christians in the 11th century it became one of the most illustrious cities in the whole of the Iberian Peninsula.

In 1520 a group of rebels known as the “comuneros” rose up against the nobility and declared Segovia a republic. The subsequent War of the Communities, which ended with Emperor Charles V quashing the rebels in 1521, caused widespread destruction in the city and led to a decline in its fortunes until the 18th century when King Felipe V built his castle at nearby La Granja.

After the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) a commercial and business zone began to develop beyond the city’s ancient walls and tourism began to flourish as an important industry as Segovia established a reputation as one of the most beautiful and historic cities of Spain. 

 

 

Aqueduct

Year built: between the late 1^st and early 2^nd centuries,                                               

Designer: The Romans 

What was the function of the Aqueduct? to transport water from the river acebeda to the city 

What is the history of the Aqueduct?

It was probably built during the Flavio period when Vespasiano and Trajano were emperors, in order to bring water from the river Acebeda to the city. This magnificent work of engineering, that is still in excellent condition, begins near the Granja Palace with simple arches and carries the water to a tank known as ‘el Caserón’. An ashlar canal then transports the water to a second tower and once it reaches Diaz Sanz square, row upon row of arches tower high above the ground. Its 20,400 stone blocks are neither cemented nor stuck together by any substance, and they remain as a solid perfect block up until this day. The maximum height of the structure is on the Azoguejo Square at 28.10 m and a total of 166 arche

 

 

 

Alcazar de Segovia

Year built: The Alcazar of Segovia is a fortress that probably dates back to Roman times, although the first documented record is from the 12th centur                            

Built for whom: Catholic Isabella

 What is the history of the castle? Lying between the confluence of the river Eresma and the river Clamores, the first documented record of the fortress dates back to Christian writings in the 12th century It was built on top of a rock, that is testament to its military status. It also served as a residence for Alfonso VIII and this was the place where the Catholic Isabella was proclaimed Queen of Castile. In the thirteenth century the building took on an air of Gothic elegance thanks to the work of the Spanish architects, John II and Henry IV. The last architectural phase was done in 1587 by the architect Francisco de Mora, possibly in collaboration with Juan de Herrera, who did the Main Courtyard and the Honour School. In 1764, Charles II founded the Royal College of Artillery here. The edifice has a number of secret passageways that lead to the river and connect several of the city’s palaces together.

 

 

 

 

El Escorial

 

Year built: The building’s cornerstone was laid on April 23, 1563 the building was completed in 1584                                   

 Built for whom: historical residence of the king of Spain

 

What is the history of El Escorial?

El Escorial comprises two architectural complexes of great historical and cultural significance: El Real Monasterio de El Escorial itself and La Granjilla de La Fresneda, a royal hunting lodge and monastic retreat about five kilometres away. These sites have a dual nature; that is to say, during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, they were places in which the temporal power of the Spanish monarchy and the ecclesiastical predominance of the Roman Catholic religion in Spain found a common architectural manifestation.El Escorial was, at once, a monastery and a Spanish royal palace. Originally a property of the Hieronymite monks, it is now an Augustinian monastery. 

 

Catedral de Segovia

 

What is the history of the Catedral? The Cathedral of Segovia stands in the city’s central plaza. Constructed by architect Juan Gil de Hontanon in the late Gothic style between 1522 and 1577, it is widely considered Europe’s last great Gothic cathedral

 

  The names of the other churches in Segovia and when were they constructed?

·       The Church of Saint Martin XII century

·       The Church of Saint Esteban the XIII century

·       The Church of Saint Millan has Romanesque style from 1111 to 1123

·       the Church of the Vera Cruz 1208

·       The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Fuencisla built at the end of the XVI century

 

 The names of the castles in the Ruta de Castillos and when were they built

 ·       Almonaster la Real 6th, 8th and 13th Century

·       Aracena 13th Century

·       Aroche 11th, 12th and 19th Century

·       Cala 12th and 14th Century.

·       Cortegana Century XIII

·       Cumbres de San Bartolomé 12th -13th Century.

·       Cumbres Mayores 12 and 14th Century

·       Encinasola 12th and 16th Century

·       Santa Olalla del Cala Century XIII.

·       Zufre 13th Century.