<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 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\u2019s tourist attraction.<\/p>\n
On to lunch at the delightful Mes\u00f3n de C\u00e1ndido 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 Mes\u00f3n de C\u00e1ndido Restaurant is the only one that lasts and continues day by day offering its services to its visitors.<\/p>\n
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\u00a0granite\u00a0blocks without the use of\u00a0mortar. The site was listed in the\u00a02006 World Monuments Watch\u00a0by the\u00a0World Monuments Fund\u00a0(WMF).<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
We head to the Monastery of Santa Maria del Parral, a\u00a0Roman Catholic\u00a0monastery founded by King\u00a0Henry IV of Castile\u00a0in 1454. As we enter the Monastery and sit down to take in the environment, John shares and takes us away into spirit.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Love and Light, Julie<\/p>\n
<\/p>\r\n
<\/p>