We picked up our rental car for the rest of our time in Spain. Then, we set off from Madrid on a day trip to El Escorial and Segovia. Our drive took us about an hour to go the thirty miles to El Escorial followed by another hour to Segovia, which turned out to be quaint and filled with green trees. It definitely felt like spring had arrived.
The Palace at El Escorial
Philip II built the massive palace at El Escorial back in the sixteenth century. Today, it remains the largest Renaissance building in the world. The main structure forms a huge rectangle with a central courtyard and several inner plazas.
Finding the entrance gave us a bit of trouble at first because we saw kids playing outside. It turns out that a school actually operates inside the complex, and the students were outside enjoying recess. Kids were running everywhere, playing soccer, chatting, and playing badminton. It was a total mob scene. We had to dodge right through their games to figure out where to go. We finally found the entrance after a couple of tries back and forth from one door to another.
Exploring the Palace
Once we stepped inside, the rooms immediately impressed us. There were beautiful paintings and tapestries lining the walls, showcasing the history of Spanish kings and queens. Spanish monarchs originally used El Escorial as a spring and autumn retreat because it offered great hunting grounds and sat just a short coach ride from Madrid. Today, the complex houses a monastery, basilica, library, museum, school, and hospital.
We stopped for a quick lunch nearby, but it was a bit disappointing. Mike wanted a break from traditional Spanish food, so he ordered a burger. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t very good. European beef simply tastes different than what we get back home.
Onward to Segovia
After lunch, we drove another hour over to Segovia. The entire town of Segovia is a UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back to Roman times.The views of the town as you approach are really spectacular. You can see the city well, the castle towers and the other buildings on top of a hill.
Parking in the historic center is nearly impossible. We parked on the outskirts and took a ten-minute walk into town.
As you walk along the roads, we noticed small brass markers set into the pavement. These plaques mark historical routes, including the old Jewish Quarter and the Camino de Santiago.
The Roman Aqueduct and Town Cathedral
As you enter the medieval center, the massive Roman aqueduct immediately catches your eye. The two-tiered stone arches stretch high above the streets in wonderful condition. Remarkably, the town used this system to move water all the way into the 1500s.
Further into town, the grand cathedral anchors a lively public square. It felt like a peaceful place to wander after our busy morning. The cathedral itself is ornately decorated with a central alter and many lavishly decorated chapels around the outside. The opulence of the alter pieces indicates the great riches in the town in the late middle-ages.
The Fairy-Tale Alcázar
At the edge of town, the Alcázar sits high on a rocky cliff where two rivers meet. The fortress overlooks the valley below with incredible views. With its deep moats and round turrets, it looks like something straight out of a fairy tale.
Inside, the rooms feature remarkable paintings and tapestries by Titian and El Greco. Many of the ceilings are decorated in beautiful moorish style. There is also elaborate moorish plaster on the walls. In other areas of the castle weapons are displayed and elaborate figures of kings and queens adorn the walls.
Below the main halls, there is a truly magnificent crypt. The entrance to the crypt is mixed colored stone and iron work. The crypt in at least five rooms houses the remains of Spanish kings and queens dating back centuries.
Have you ever taken a day trip out of Madrid, or do you have a favorite castle in Spain?
