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Published: April 18th 2009
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started the day with a breakfast (except me, who is still a little unsettled) and another stroll thru this amazing restoration/renovation. (In hindsight I had the best beverage of the entire trip. Although the waitress couldn't speak english, she observed my discomfort and brought out some camomille tea. Either I was getting over the distress or this was an amaing drink...I felt much better within an hour of drinking it...I'm keeping a couple bags of the stuff in my backpack for all future trips.)
Lynn continued to point out sights and suggest villages for stops that had significance. Each castle or palace had some story including Juana or one of her kin/queen parents. We by passed Valladolid, although rich in history, it is well developed and would involve hassling with traffic. Our time was better spent in Medina del Campo the brick Gothic Castillo de la Mota where Juana la Loca spent a cold night 500 years ago wailing from the ramparts. Juana spent many years in semi-confinement after the death of her husband. Some of her attributed behavior has contributed to the claims she suffered from schizophrenia and she was kept locked away and imprisoned. However, there is debate
about her condition considering her symptoms were only apparent when she was being controlled or confined. Some historians argue she suffered from either manic depression or clinical depression, worsened by her situation and the treatment she received from her husband and father, both of whom wanted her out of the way in order to assume rulership for themselves. Another theory, popular with the people of the area (and Lynn) was that Juana was not crazy at all, but her Father, son and husband called her crazy to legitimize their claims to the throne. Joanna only nominally remained Queen regent of Castile until her death. (Wikipedia)
The remains of the fortress city wall was fascinating at Madrigal de las Altas Torres. Homes were built up against the inside surface of the wall, and remain function to this day.
Lynn and Mike have become quite fond of Segovia and it did not take long to see why. The hotel they stay at is strategically located to allow easy walking to all of the main sights. It is located adjacent to the famous aqueducts, which are truly amazing and provide as easy landmark that will lead us back to our hotel
regardless of our condition following the evening rounds of tapas, beer and sangria.
We hit the main attractions; the aqueducts; the 1525 cathedral, said to be last great Gothic church in Spain; XII century Segovia's Alcazar (royal castle), which we toured and climbed the tower of Juan II with the Bartizan turrets. There was a major fire in 1862 so it is not clear what is "fancifully restored." It also serves as a museum, and interesting to see the various weapons, body armour, etc.
The aqueducts are truly amazing stand some 90 ft at the heighest point...no mortar and standing perfectly plumb. (I'm refinishing our bathroom and there seems to be no walls plumb or square!) Interestlingly the could still be fully functional and I was surprised the actual trough in the top of the wall is quite small...maybe 12in x 18in.
What a day, Segovia is wonderful...doesn't get much better than this.
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