History
The Alcazar de Segovia was thought to be prehistoric Celtic culture and later Roman occupation. They can tell this by the type of granite blocks they used to construct the castle. It started life however, as an Arab castle, like most castles in Spain. It then went to Christian hands, 32 years after the city of Segovia became Christian. The first real mention of it was in 1122, when the town had just been recaptured by Alfonso VI. It mentioned the castle being a hill-fort on a rocky outcrop, formed by the rivers Eresma and Clamores. It also stated that the location of the castle meant that it was had very good defences, and gave it a beautiful outlook onto the hills and mountains of Spain.
In 1155 however, there was another reference to Alcazar de Segovia. It said that the castle became Alcazar, meaning Royal residence or palace in Arabic. This then means that the English translation of Alcazar de Segovia is Royal Residence/Palace of Segovia. It was also promised by Queen Isabella to Christopher Columbus, that he could use the castle at any time he wished.
The shape of Alcazar was not known until the reign of Alfonso VIII (1155-1214) when its towering appearance was first mentioned in a document. It is thought that prior to this time; the castle was just an old wooden fort. Throughout the middle ages, the Alcazar de Segovia was one of the favourite residences of the Alfonso’s in Spain, as well as being one of the key defensive buildings of the region. In this period, the monarchs of the Trastarma dynasty built the majority of the castle that exists today. These events include when Alfonso X rebuilt parts of the Alcazar because the 'Hall of the Kings' caved in after the Alcazar started to host Parliament. The biggest contributor was King John II after he built the 'New Tower', which was renamed in his honour to 'King John II Tower'.
Another key person in the castle's history was in 1474, when Henry IV died of suspicious causes. Isabella Castile was then in line for the thrown and to avoid her death because of the suspicion, she immediately took refuge in the Alcazar de Segovia where the council of Segovia and Andres Cabrera. She was then throned in Segovia and married Ferdinand of Aragon at the Alcazar de Segovia. After time, the Alcazar de Segovia was in desperate need of renovation which it got from King Phillip II after he got married to Anna of Austria. he added sharp, slate spirals like most castles in Medieval Europe.
In 1587 as well, an architect named Francisco de Morar added the main garden and school of Honour areas. Finally, the Royal court of Spain moved to Madrid where it still is today while the Alcazar was used as a state prison for two centuries. In 1762, King Carlos III founded the Royal Artillery School which lasted till a fire badly damaged the roof and framework in 1862. 10 years later, the Alcazar de Segovia was restored to its original state until 1896 when Alfonso XIII gave to the Ministry of War where it became a military college. Now it is one of the most visited castles in Spain.
In 1155 however, there was another reference to Alcazar de Segovia. It said that the castle became Alcazar, meaning Royal residence or palace in Arabic. This then means that the English translation of Alcazar de Segovia is Royal Residence/Palace of Segovia. It was also promised by Queen Isabella to Christopher Columbus, that he could use the castle at any time he wished.
The shape of Alcazar was not known until the reign of Alfonso VIII (1155-1214) when its towering appearance was first mentioned in a document. It is thought that prior to this time; the castle was just an old wooden fort. Throughout the middle ages, the Alcazar de Segovia was one of the favourite residences of the Alfonso’s in Spain, as well as being one of the key defensive buildings of the region. In this period, the monarchs of the Trastarma dynasty built the majority of the castle that exists today. These events include when Alfonso X rebuilt parts of the Alcazar because the 'Hall of the Kings' caved in after the Alcazar started to host Parliament. The biggest contributor was King John II after he built the 'New Tower', which was renamed in his honour to 'King John II Tower'.
Another key person in the castle's history was in 1474, when Henry IV died of suspicious causes. Isabella Castile was then in line for the thrown and to avoid her death because of the suspicion, she immediately took refuge in the Alcazar de Segovia where the council of Segovia and Andres Cabrera. She was then throned in Segovia and married Ferdinand of Aragon at the Alcazar de Segovia. After time, the Alcazar de Segovia was in desperate need of renovation which it got from King Phillip II after he got married to Anna of Austria. he added sharp, slate spirals like most castles in Medieval Europe.
In 1587 as well, an architect named Francisco de Morar added the main garden and school of Honour areas. Finally, the Royal court of Spain moved to Madrid where it still is today while the Alcazar was used as a state prison for two centuries. In 1762, King Carlos III founded the Royal Artillery School which lasted till a fire badly damaged the roof and framework in 1862. 10 years later, the Alcazar de Segovia was restored to its original state until 1896 when Alfonso XIII gave to the Ministry of War where it became a military college. Now it is one of the most visited castles in Spain.