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Spain & Portugal Tour 2017 | The Way of the Traveler | Day 5

 

Segovia, Spain

It is an early morning as we board the bus for Segovia. Segovia is a beautiful city that features some of the most impressive Romanesque and Gothic churches around. As we arrive in Segovia, we head to The Segovia Cathedral which is a massive, Gothic style church built in 1525-77. The Cathedral museum has works by Pedro Berruguete Berruguete (a famous Spanish painter in the transition from Gothic to Renascence.) There is love in the air in Spain and we are surely engaged in this adventure.

Next we head on to The Alcazar de Segovia (castle) which extends out of a rocky crag of land above the city that sets against a backdrop of the Guadarrama Mountains. It looks like it came from a fairy tale book with its picture-perfect setting and stunning views from inside the castle overlooking the city. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella made this lovely castle their home during their reign. The castle was built in 1328 which was used by the Moors in later years as a place for the important and wealthy to enjoy gardens, baths, and an expansive library. After the fall of the Moors, Alfonso XI transformed the site into a heavily-armed fortress. After a serious of violent outbreaks, the building was used as the headquarters for the Spanish Inquisition. Horrifyingly, the baths where nobles once relaxed became a place of torture for victims of the Inquisition. After the end of the monarchy, the Alhambra became the fortress for Napoleon’s army, and after this, it was used as a prison. Eventually, the government recognized the beauty and historical value of the building and converted into today’s tourist attraction.

On to lunch at the delightful Mesón de Cándido Restaurant sitting underneath the Segovia Aqueduct inviting breathtaking views of the massive stone structure. Of those establishments that were opened along the Roman Aqueduct, this old Mesón de Cándido Restaurant is the only one that lasts and continues day by day offering its services to its visitors.

The ancient Roman aqueduct is one of those treasures you need to see in person to experience the majestic beauty of 165 stone arches over 30 feet high and still in use. It was built of some 24,000 dark-colored Guadarrama granite blocks without the use of mortar. The site was listed in the 2006 World Monuments Watch by the World Monuments Fund (WMF).

After visiting the Aqueduct and eating lunch, we are ready to head to the Segovia Church of the Vera Cruz (True Cross). As we enter the Church of the Vera Cruz, Maria, our tour guide is singing in Gregorian chanting and transcends us into an inner communion.

The church was built in 1208 by the Templars. It has a dodecagonal shape inspired from the Dome of the Rock and the Temple of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. In this church is a venerated relic of the Cross. Recent research indicates that instead of the Templars, the Church of the Veracruz was built by the Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem; known nowadays as the Order of Malta (Sovereign Military Hospitalier Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and Malta.) The knights of the Order of Malta celebrate their ceremonies in this church.

We head to the Monastery of Santa Maria del Parral, a Roman Catholic monastery founded by King Henry IV of Castile in 1454. As we enter the Monastery and sit down to take in the environment, John shares and takes us away into spirit.

Within walking distance of the church of the Veracruz is San Juan de la Cruz Convent Carmelitas, the Convent of St. John of the Cross, that houses the sepulcher of the Saint. As we gather together, we are graced again with another Traveler Sharing with John.

The day is coming to a close, and before we depart, we all gather in a green grassy area with the Alcazar Castle behind us to take a group shot. We board the bus, weary but full of joy and spirit, loving and laughter and ready for a good night’s rest.

Love and Light, Julie

Videos by Julie Lurie

 
 
 

Touring Photos by David Sand

 

David Sand’s Column

We saw so much today I can’t hope to recount it all. We were in the delightful little town of Segovia. Picturesque, with an open square/outdoor market with fruit stands, clothing, art, etc. Got a chance to do some street photography here, especially of the older people who fascinate me. There are so many beautiful faces, and a slow-paced feel, a real dignity and an almost stately presence. This is the first part of Spain where I thought I could live here. There’s a storybook castle, residence of royalty (under which we take a group shot at the end of the photos), the tomb of St. John of the Cross (and church), the Roman aqueduct (where we have a great lunch and where we’re regaled by the owner on a subject that I didn’t understand but that amused all the Spanish speakers). And a couple of profound John Morton mini-seminars. Our guide is a professional-level singer who fills the churches with music. No big dissertation today. We’ve been going nonstop and I have to get some rest.

Join Us in Planting Light Columns wherever you are and Light up the World together.

Here are two handouts from John-Roger on “Light Columns”
Click here | Planting Light Columns #1 by John-Roger
Click here | Planting Light Columns #2 by John-Roger

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2 thoughts on “Spain & Portugal Tour 2017 | The Way of the Traveler | Day 5”

  1. OMG between David’pic, Davis’s blog, julie’s videos, julie’s blog
    we are so informed and feels so included thank you
    I am in such gratitude
    I am on the trip with everyone
    LIGHT to all concerned

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