Alcázar of Segovia

This medieval fortress built on a rocky promontory above the confluence of two rivers is a very remarkable higlight in the city of Segovia as well as its famous  Acqueduct. It is located in the Old City, declared World Heritage of Unesco in 1985.

The origin of this castle is lost in the mist of time due  its privileged location. It was a Roman fort, Muslim fortress, Royal Palace of the Kings of Castile, Artillery Academy and Military Archive. The building was restored many times since the roof collapsed in 1258 when the King Alfonso X was there. However, the current shape we owe to the king Philip II who extended the stays and added the sharps spires similarly to other castles in Central Europe.

In the same way as other castles such as Mont Saint-Michel in France, Neuschwanstein in Germany or De Chillon in Switzerland; the uniqueness and attractiveness of the Alcázar of Segovia was not ignored by the great Walt Disney. It is said that Disney was inspired by this majestic site when dreaming of the iconic Cinderella castle, and the similarities are easy to detect. These can be found on the brick facade of the buildings, the towers and the location. Later it would “come true” in the famous castle built in 1971 in Magic Kingdom (Florida - USA). The inspiration is not only there, it also served to design the castle of the evil Queen in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”So for the clueless tourist that once visited Segovia and the Alcazar a sudden “Déjà vu” could be justified