About Segovia, Spain

Segovia, although less than 100 kilometers from Madrid, has the cooling benefit of elevation, as it sits in a high valley at about 3000 feet above sea level, just over the peaks of the Sierra de Guadarrama. The meandering flow of the rio Eresma and the clack-clack of the storks that nest there (ask the Segovians where babies come from and they will tell you that they ride to Segovia on storks wings from Paris!) add to the gentle, accepting flavor of this Caitlin city.

Here, in the region known as Castille y Léon, the country we now know as Spain and the language of Catalan Spanish first emerged. The marriage of Fernando of Aragón and Isabel of Castilla put this region on the world map. What followed were some not-so-great things, the Christian assault of the Islamics; and then the rise of Spain as a country and castellano as the official language.

One's first view of Segovia is dominated by its Roman aqueduct. It is architecturally stunning, especially as the light of the rising or setting of the sun glows through its arches. The old city reflects its Romanesque heritage - the castle, cathedral, winding, narrow streets. Markets, shops, food and music make this a very fun and easy city to live in. It is home to about 60,000 people and a destination for many, many more visitors.

Our students have loved its friendly atmosphere and it compact size has afforded them a allowed them to quickly find their comfort level with the city. There's lots to do within the city itself - music is ever-present: each summer they stage varying outdoor performances (one summer the emphasis was Hispanic music from around the world). And our excursions also take us out of the city, to la Granja (a royal residence), Pedraza (a stunning medieval village) and canoeing down the grand canyon of Spain in Las Hoces National Park.

Want to see the blog done by our staff and students over the last few summers?

Click here: Segovia blog