Introduction to Segovia

91km (54 miles) NW of Madrid; 68km (42 miles) NE of Avila

Gleaming Segovia, with its mellow stone built monuments, typifies the glory of Old Castile (now known as Castilla y Leon). It stands in the southwest of this castle-rich region, and Isabella herself was proclaimed queen here in 1474. Wherever you look, you'll see reminders of that golden era -- whether it's the most spectacular Alcázar Castle on the Iberian Peninsula or, going farther back in time, the well-preserved, still-functioning Roman aqueduct. The city is located on the northwestern slope of the Guadarrama Mountains, where the Eresma and Clamores rivers converge, and its narrow, winding streets are best covered on foot if you want to fully view the Romanesque churches and 15th-century palaces along the way.