Segovia

Segovia is known for at least four things: a historically important castle, Roman aqueducts, a spectacular cathedral, and a particular culinary specialty: cochinillo...aka., tender piglet. Although we had only heard rumors of this latter fact before arriving, we weren't in the town 10 minutes before we came upon an apparently important statue...

Turning to our right, we saw this magnificent cityscape...beckoning us to climb the ancient stairs that wound up its rocky side....

We quickly found ourselves in a rather fantastic cobbled city...

Where the city scenes recurrently stopped us in our tracks, like traveling hiccups...we were attracted to innumerable nearby surprises, but led forward by the promise of seeing great wonders in the distance...

And, under the shadow of the great cathedral, we again encountered the omnipresent cochinillo...the inescapable end of a long day's journey into Segovian night.

(Yes, they're real.)

In the Plaza Mayor, under the imposing silhouette of the great church, we ate our first classically Spanish "almuerzo": the dinner-intimidating "lunch" of Spaniards. (which we've decided is actually just a really early dinner, while the traditional "dinner" is really just a large late night snack...)

After eating, we resumed our adventure, without any idea of what we might find. Or, at least, I had no idea of what we might find. While Andrea knew that a castle lay in store, I was, expectedly, quite ignorant of the fact. It was a beautiful blessing, then, to rather randomly chance upon a real-life, well-fortified, hilltop-commanding fortress. I was dumbstruck!

Being a nerdy lover and life-long player of "Dungeons and Dragons," my impressions upon beholding this structural and historical marvel far outstripped anything I can quickly blog-up. Hence, I will remain silent. But take a good look. This is real. Kings lived here.

Of course, it seemed obligatory to me to purchase the extra "tower access" tickets. Notwithstanding my imagining variously-accoutered tower chambers, it was simply (and arduously) a rather long, very tight circular stairwell, climbing some 3 stories. It was not altogether barren of evocative views, happily...

Nevertheless, we were rewarded at its culmination with this incredible view of the city...

Unfortunately, we did not have a chance to enter the profound Cathedral, notable for its many architectural embellishments. It is undoubtedly one of the most massive and impressive buildings we've ever seen, but it was closed to visitors by the time we returned to it.

As twilight descended upon the city, still mesmerized by what we'd already seen, we found ourselves again stunned by what was a largely fortuitous discovery...the Roman Aqueducts. They towered over the city, and we found it difficult to comprehend both their construction and their full purpose. Thankfully, their splendor was free.