Alcazar of Segovia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Alcazar of Segovia (literally "Segovia Castle") is located at the junction of the Eresma and Clamores rivers near the town of Segovia, Spain. It sits over an elevated promontory over the Sierra of Guadarrama. It was the primary residence of many Kings of Castile, most notably Isabella of Castile who was crowned there.

The site had been inhabited in early times but later abandoned. Alfonso VI of Castile repopulated it and passed the Alcazar on to his descendants. Alfonso VIII refurbished it as a royal residence. Architects under John II and Henry IV would give the Alcazar its current Gothic aspect. In 1587 architect Francisco de Morar completed the main garden and the School of Honor areas of the castle. Charles II of Spain established the Royal School of Artillery here in 1764.

Notable rooms are the Hall of Ajimeces which houses many works of art, the Hall of the Throne and the Hall of Kings with a frieze representing all Spanish Kings and Queens starting from Don Pelayo down to Juana la Loca. The current building is a nineteenth century pastiche, the original having burned down in 1862.