GoGo
All UNESCO SitesSpain

Old Town of Segovia and its Aqueduct

Segovia · Spain

Background

World Heritage since
1985
Type of site
Cultural
Aqueduct built
c. AD 50

The Roman aqueduct of Segovia, probably built around AD 50, is remarkably well preserved. UNESCO says this impressive construction, with its two tiers of arches, forms part of the setting of the magnificent historic city, whose other monuments include the Alcázar, begun around the 11th century, and the 16th-century Gothic cathedral.

The aqueduct brought water 17 km from springs in the mountains to the city's fountains, baths and houses, and was in use until 1973; its arcade of 167 arches is one of the best-preserved Roman aqueduct bridges and appears on the city's coat of arms. Wikivoyage adds that the town sits at 1,005 m, that medieval Segovia grew rich on flannel, and that Isabella I was proclaimed queen here in 1474.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. c. AD 50The Romans build the aqueduct
  2. 1085Christians from the north resettle the town after Toledo falls
  3. 11th c.The Alcázar is begun
  4. 1474Isabella I is proclaimed queen in the church of San Miguel
  5. 1973The aqueduct carries water for the last time
  6. 1985Inscribed as World Heritage

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    The Aqueduct
    Granite arches built without mortar, 28.5 m above Plaza del Azoguejo; best seen from the steps at Postigo del Consuelo, and floodlit at night.
  2. 2
    Alcázar
    The ship-shaped castle on the prow of the old town, with a tower climb.
  3. 3
    Cathedral
    The last Gothic cathedral in Spain, on Plaza Mayor.
  4. 4
    Jewish Quarter and Walls
    Lanes along the 2,250 m wall ring to the Jewish cemetery viewpoint.
  5. 5
    Vera Cruz
    The Templar church, and the classic view back to the Alcázar.
  6. 6
    Casa de los Picos
    The 15th-century mansion studded with granite pyramids on the way up.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

30 Minutes from Madrid
Wikivoyage: trains from Chamartín reach Segovia-Guiomar in half an hour; bus 11 runs the 5 km into town, beneath the aqueduct.
Pedestrian Old Town
No traffic passes under the aqueduct; walk up Calle Cervantes from Plaza del Azoguejo, or ride bus 9 round the old town.
Hot or Bitter
At 1,005 m the city can be scorching or bitterly cold; dress for both.
Cochinillo
Roast suckling pig, cut with a plate at Mesón de Cándido.

Aqueduct to Alcázar

From the GoGo Segovia guide · Open the Segovia Guide ›

  1. 09:30
    Aqueduct of Segovia45 min
    Granite arches without mortar.
  2. 11:00
    Alcázar of Segovia2 hrs
    The castle and its tower.
  3. 14:30
    Segovia Cathedral1 hr
    The last Gothic cathedral in Spain.
  4. 16:00
    Jewish Quarter and Walls Walk75 min
    Along the walls.
  5. 21:30
    Aqueduct Lit Up1 hr
    The arches at night, with tapas on Calle Real.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: May–Jun, Sep.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest Oct (72 mm), driest Jul (13 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Pair It With

Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance

WORTH A NIGHTDAY TRIPSAME DAYDistance not to scale · tap a site
Do These Together
El Escorial is 41 km away, the walls of Ávila 58 km and Madrid's Paseo del Prado 69 km; La Granja's fountains are close by.
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 311 · Wikipedia: Aqueduct of Segovia · Wikivoyage: Segovia (CC BY-SA 4.0) · GoGo Segovia guide · UNESCO listing