Spain
Alcázar of Segovia
Welcome to Spain! The Alcázar of Segovia rises dramatically from a rocky cliff, its pointed towers and turrets making it look like a castle straight out of a storybook.
Why is it famous?
Its dramatic shape, like the front of a ship, and fairy-tale towers make it one of Spain's most photographed castles.
Some historians believe it may have inspired the castle design in Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty.
How was it formed?
It was built on a rocky crag where two rivers meet, a natural spot that was easy to defend for over 1,000 years.
Kings and queens kept expanding it over the centuries, adding towers, walls, and a grand throne room.
Amazing facts
It has served as a fortress, a royal palace, a prison, and even a military academy over the centuries.
Its tallest tower, the Tower of John II, has 152 steps leading to sweeping views of Segovia.
Quick facts
- It has served as a fortress, a royal palace, a prison, and even a military academy over the centuries.
- Its tallest tower, the Tower of John II, has 152 steps leading to sweeping views of Segovia.
- Queen Isabella I was crowned Queen of Castile here in 1474, a turning point in Spanish history.
- The castle's pointed slate roofs were inspired by castles in central Europe.