Architecture in: Segovia, Spain

Segovia, Spain. April 2014.

Abundant in Moorish elements (as well as a huge dollop of Italian–you’ll see why) but still missing that ever-evasive “Spanish” signature, Segovia at least was not too big of a disappointment. This is approaching borderline broken record territory, I know–me and my beef with the confusing absence of Spanish architecture in Spain, or at least my expecting a stronger architectural/design point of view from Spain but instead finding out that Spanish design is largely Moorish with strong infusions from France and Italy? That whole train of thought is confusing. But anyway, just some photos for now.

As with several cities that were once under Roman rule, one of Segovia’s main landmarks is a Roman one (not Spanish). This Roman aqueduct is, amazingly, still standing given that it was built with no cement or mortar or anything–just the stones, using the whole “keystone” technique that the Romans were famous for. Our tour guide told us that the sorta laughable reason for this aqueduct being built was that they needed water for the city but the water was located in a lower area, and Romans didn’t know how to pump water, but they did know how to build bad-ass aqueducts that could transport water from a higher area, so that’s exactly what they did. Whatever works, I guess.

In the city, Moorish elements are what dominate the most

This corner of glass windows is the most Spanish thing I spotted–although it’s really more French-Spanish than Spanish. I really don’t know.

More moorish

Segovia’s Plaza Mayor was also more “Spanish”, I think. It may be because almost all the Plaza Mayors we visited had the same sort of clock-towered edifice on one side of the square, but when you really look at it, does it feel particularly Spanish? I still can’t say so. Maybe the multi-shuttered windows below are more so.

As for this gothic-ish church, I would say that if you altered the spires a bit, it could almost immediately look more French or more Italian. Imagine adding flying buttresses?

These ones look South/Central American

I like spotting these faces.