Alcázar of Segovia: Spain’s Austere Fortress

The Alcázar of Segovia’s walls were made with local granite to match the countryside’s aesthetic. The warm colors, sloping and conical roofs, and upper story windows give the castle a luxurious impression, while the fortified walls and towers create a sense of formidable security. Lev Levin/Shutterstock

Situated on a hill above the junction of the Clamores and Eresma rivers, Spain’s Alcázar of Segovia is among Europe’s most iconic castles. The Segovia castle was an impregnable fortress and luxurious royal residence for centuries. Today, it’s one of the greatest examples of Spanish gothic and Herrerian architecture.

The castle dates to the Spanish reconquest of Segovia in 1085, when a stone structure likely replaced an old wooden fortress. A century later, it was transformed into the primary residence of monarchs by King Alfonso VIII of Castile, an independent realm at the time. The aftermath of extensive fire damage in 1258 saw its current appearance begin to take shape—particularly with the adoption of gothic style and the construction of the magnificent Hall of Kings.

The arrival of Catherine of Lancaster, the English wife of Castile’s King Henry III, brought another significant period of castle expansion beginning 1390. Her regency and the reigns of her son King Juan II and grandson Henry IV transformed the Alcázar into a gothic wonder. The most important addition was the massive tower of Juan II, which he built to guard the entrance.

Henry IV’s death left a disputed succession and halted nonessential construction. His half-sister Isabella I—patroness of Christopher Columbus—took refuge in the Alcázar in 1474 and used it as a military base. Decades later, her grandson, King Philip II, elevated the Alcázar to its full splendor during the Spanish Renaissance.

Philip II renovated parts of the castle—most notably the courtyard—in the severe, unadorned Herrerian classical style. He also introduced the French-inspired conical roofs, giving the Alcázar  its signature combination of gentle domesticity and defensive strength that has long captured popular imagination.

The King John II tower is Alcázar's most distinctive feature. Its height is emphasized by being more than twice as tall as it is wide or long. Combined with the hilltop location, it strengthens the Alcázar's appearance of dominance over its surroundings. Alexandre.ROSA/Shutterstock

Distinguished by its intricate gold décor, the Belt Room’s wall decorations mimic the cord belts worn by Franciscan monks. Diego Grandi/Shutterstock

A gilded and painted frieze with 52 sculpted portraits of Spanish monarchs—beginning with Pelagius of Asturias and ending with Juana la Loca—encircle the upper walls of the Alcázar's Hall of Kings. An exquisite representation of Spanish history, the great hall is decorated with gothic, Romanesque, and Moorish influences.   RudiErnst/Shutterstock

Ordinarily, a single throne draws the eye towards a throne room’s center. But a gap between the Alcázar's twin thrones directs the eye upward and outward—creating an intriguing aesthetic dictated by politics. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella separately ruled Aragon and Castile before their descendants ruled a unified Spain. (Salvador Maniquiz/Shutterstock)  

Queen Catherine of Lancaster commissioned the Hall of the Galley in 1412. Known as the “second great hall,” it features Catherine’s heraldry. The mural in the background illustrates Isabella I of Castile’s coronation. Besides the Obvious/Shutterstock

Dating from the 12th century, the Hall of the Old Palace maintains the austere beauty and noble simplicity of the Alcázar's early days. Entering the Fireplace Hall, the blue and white azulejo—a form of painted tile inspired by Roman mosaics—covers the lower part of the walls. Diego Grandi/Shutterstock

What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to [email protected]