Day 2: First Day of Class & a Visit to Our Castle!

Thursday, May 2nd started our first day of class at El Centro de Estudios Hipánicos de Segovia.  Class was filled with basic information to familiarize ourselves with Spain so we can learn the most possible over the course of our three weeks here.  We learned about the geography of Spain, how the country is divided into autonomous communities and provinces, with one city per province, along other towns.  We also had an overview on the politics in Spain, all of which will make learning about the history of Spain easier as we continue.

El Centro de Estudios Hipánicos de Segovia

After comida (lunch) with our host families, we all met in the Plaza Mayor to go visit the Alcázar, the castle here in Segovia that inspired Walt Disney! The Alcázar is absolutely breathtaking and is filled with history!  After being awed by it's beauty on the outside, we headed inside for a tour.  Our professor here in Segovia, Ricardo, told us everything we could possibly want to know about this castle and it's vital role in the history of Spain.  

El Alcázar! It is so big it is hard to capture in one shot!

El Alcázar has been occupied by various groups throughout its history, originally being a Roman fort before it served as an Arab fort until Spain was taken back by the Christians.  Each time the Alcázar changed hands, it was built up and added to, eventually making it the masterpiece that it is today.  The Alázar was the first castle of the Castilian Monarchy - makes it sound very important to me!  The main central tower (the largest tower in the picture above - which we climbed!) of the Alcázar served as the royal prison at one point in its history.    

The view of our beautiful Segovia from the top of the Alcázar.

Enrique IV is considered the most "Segovian" king, as he spent the most amount of time during his reign here at the Alcázar.  In 1474 when the news of King Henry IV's death in Madrid reached Segovia, his sister Isabella took refuge within the Alcázar and planned with her supporters to declare herself Queen.  Sure enough, the very next day, Isabella became Queen Isabella I right here in Segovia! 

Mural of the coronation of Queen Isabella I , right here in Segovia

Another important piece of Spain's history can be found here in Segovia's Alcázar - Spain was united for the first time here in Segovia with the marriage of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, later Ferdinand V of Spain.  While we are still trying to get the hang of all of these kings and queens that make up Spain's history, it was awe-inspiring to see the room in the Alcázar where many of the monarchs are lined around the walls in order of when they ruled, knowing that Segovia played a huge role in that history!

During the Castilian War, Juan Bravo led the rebel Comuneros against the monarchy.  One of the battles of this war took place here at Segovia's Alcázar.  Juan Bravo and his men were stationed in the tower of the cathedral at the foot of the Alcázar, with the Monarchy's forces at the top of the main tower of the Alcázar.  The Monarchy won this battle and the cathedral was almost entirely destroyed.  After some time, the people asked the King if they could rebuild the cathedral so they could have a place to worship.  The King allowed it, under the conditions that the cathedral was built elsewhere within Segovia so that this battle between towers could never happen again. 

The Throne Room

One more interesting fact about the Alcázar?  It is said that Fernando II and Isabella I, los Reyes Católicos (the Catholic Monarchs) gave the money to Christopher Columbus for his voyages right here in this very castle!  It's as if we have the beginning of American history right here with us in Spain!

It is incredible to think of all of the history that has taken place in this very spot, and we are fortunate enough to have it right in our backyard for three weeks!!