Alcázar
of Segovia is a stone fortification located in the city of Segovia,
Spain. The castle is built upon a rock
cliff above the rivers of Eresma and Clamores.
Segovia Castle is shaped like the bow of a ship, making it distinct from
other castles. The fortification first
began as an Arab Fort, which was built atop the remains of a Roman fort. The castle is believed to have been built in
the 12th century, after the city of Segovia returned to Christian
hands. The palace was enlarged and added to during the next four
centuries. During the middle ages the
castle served as a royal palace. It has
also served as a state prison, a royal Artillery College, and a military
academy. In 1862 a fire destroyed much
of the structure and it was rebuilt two decades later in a more romantic style.
Segovia Castle is one of the castles
that inspired Disney’s Cinderella Castle.
