4. Alcazar of Segovia

This is the picture of Alcazar of Segovia. Taken from : www.suggestkeyword.com

Next, im going to share with you the fourth top tourist attraction in Spain which is Alcazar of Segovia. The fairytale good-looks of 'el Alcazar de Segovia' have made it Spain's most famous castle. It's also rumored that this little fortress was the inspiration behind Cinderella's Castle in Walt Disney World. The Alcazar is located in the stunning town of Segovia, which is an-hour-and-a-bit from Madrid - and so a popular daytrip from the capital. The Alcazar of Segovia is particularly special in that it was built upon a large rock promontory, which is shaped rather like the bow of a ship.

Important Islamic Influences

Islamic warriors built the first wooden fortress where the Alcazar stands today - using the spot to mark their influence over the surrounding lands. However, because their early fortifications were made of wood, we've little evidence of these structures. IThe Spanish reconquista resulted in the capture of Segovia as early as 1085, meaning that the majority of castle architecture is Spanish in origin.

This is the instructure of building in Alcazar de Segovia. The picture is taken from: www.spanish-living.com

Magnificent Rooms

The Alcazar de Segovia is arranged around two main courtyards: the larger being el Patio de Armas, and the smaller one, el Patio del Reloj. Presently, visitors are able to explore twelve of the castle rooms which open onto these two main courtyards; and each of the rooms is an intriguing mix of Gothic, Romanesque and Moorish influences. The most notable of all rooms is the Hall of Kings, which can be found at the front of the castle - that's the bow of the ship. The hall filled with 52 intricate, raised portraits of various Spanish monarchs of Castile and Leone. 

     These little statuettes form an elaborate, golden-plated frieze which encircles the upper part of the room - a pretty spectacular overview of Spanish history. Note that the ornate, Islamic ceiling is a modern replica of an original destroyed by fire. At the opposite end of the castle, you'll encounter the impressive Tower of Juan II, foundations of which were laid in the 1300s. This geometric edifice (rather like a upturned matchbox) is more than 80m in height. You'll note that its arched windows have a distinctive, Arabic style - and, as an aside, the tower was used as a jail in Early Modern times.

Inspiration for Disney

In the 1960s, so the urban legend goes, Disney 'imagineers' travelled throughout Europe, looking for the perfect castles on which to model Cinderella's Castle in Walt Disney World. The lead architect for the project was Herb Ryman, a man fascinated with European architecture. Apparently, the Alcazar of Segovia was one of their chief inspirations - but this is one of those things which has been said a thousand times, without an original source to be found. Disney do admit that Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom was 'inspired by the great castles of Europe', but they never explicitly say if the Alcazar of Segovia was one of their sources. I guess, regardless, the modern day castle does look good enough to be from a fairytale, anyway.

How to get to Alcazar of Segovia?

This is the following solutions for all of you who are willing to visit to Alcazar de Segovia:

• Bus: there are several regular bus lines to Madrid, Avila and Salamanca with numerous daily services.
• Train: several daily high-speed train services (AVE) connect with Madrid (approximately 30 minutes) and Valladolid (approximately 40 minutes). From the station, there is a bus service to the city centre (approximately 15 minutes)
• By road: Madrid – Segovia: on the A6 motorway, then continue on the AP6 and AP61. Approximate travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes. Avila – Segovia: on the A51 and continue on the AP6 and AP61. Approximate travel time: one hour.
• By air: the nearest airports are Madrid (87 kilometres), Valladolid (125 kilometres) and Salamanca (164 kilometres).