May 13, 2023. Rest Day in Sagovia

After a slow start to the day we wandered past the aqueduct to the Old Town of Segovia. Here’s a view of the aqueduct from the other side of the square.

Another sight along our wanderings was the Cathedral of Segovia. According to wikipedia “the church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was built in the Flamboyant Gothic style in the mid-16th century.” I’ve not heard of the “Flamboyant” Gothic style but it’s a good description of this church.

We also checked out the Alcazar de Segovia, a medieval castle from the 12th century. It is said that Walt Disney drew his inspiration in part from this castle when dreaming up Cinderella’s castle in Disneyland.

The highlight of the day was a late lunch at Asador Maribel known for its suckling pig entree which Chris was anxious to try. We went with a friend who speaks fluent Spanish and did all the ordering for us.

And here’s his brother arriving at the table next to us.

We were so pooped after our big lunch we went back to the hotel and took a long nap. After our happy hour/meeting we headed out for a light tapas. We found a little place that was just right. They even had a tv showing big wave surfing which we enjoyed watching while we ate. I asked the bartender/owner if he was a surfer. He’s from Segovia but spent a lot of time surfing at Manhattan Beach in Southern California. Small world.

Now back to the aqueduct. Just in case you were wondering how it came about here is the local legend of its origin.

This is the legend of the serving girl who used to climb, every day, to the very top of the mountain and return with her pitcher full of water. One day, fed up of this daily toil, she made a wish to the Devil, whom she asked to build some means by which she would no longer need to go up and down every morning with her pitcher. One night Lucifer granted her wish, asking for her soul in return if he managed to finish the aqueduct before the cockerel crowed.

The girl agreed and the Devil began to build the aqueduct but the girl regretted her decision. Just as he was about to lay the last stone, the cockerel crowed, meaning the Devil lost his wager and the girl kept her soul. In the gap that remained, the statue of the Virgin of Fuencisla, patroness of the city, stands today.

And here’s the devil himself taking a selfie with his handiwork in the background.

May 12, 2023. Avila to Segovia. Distance: 60 miles Elevation: 3,830 feet

This was our first really chilly ride with the threat of rain on the horizon. It was a longer ride than the past several days rides but much easier on the tandem. It was also a beautiful ride with new countryside – big rolling hills with new wildflowers along the way. Purple bachelor buttons, yellow mustard, purple thistles and very bright red poppies.

We arrived at our Hotel San Antonio El Real about 2pm. Our afternoon wanderings took us to the Aqueduct of Sedovia.

It was built around the first century AD to channel water from springs in the mountains 11 miles away to the city’s fountains, public baths and private houses and was in use until 1973. Its elevated section, with its complete arcade of 167 arches, is one of the best-preserved Roman aqueduct bridges. It is 2,684 feet long and 95 feet high at its highest point. It is composed of over 25,000 unmortared, brick-like granite blocks.

We walked a short distance from our hotel to near the source of the aqueduct which was at the height of the road

along the wall

and as the ground gave way and the aqueduct continued straight

it continued to grow bigger and bigger.

A very impressive sight.