Aqueduct of Segovia, Segovia, Spain

The Roman aqueduct of Segovia was built, probably in the 1st century BC, to bring water from the mountains to the hilltop settlement of Segovia. It was a massive feat of engineering as it ran for around 15 km and had to cross a wide valley before it entered the city. It was used to bring water to the town until the 19th century.

Today the aquduct is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that also includes the old city and fortifications of Segovia. It is an enormous construction of masonry, 813 m in length, consisting of four straight segments and two superimposed arcades borne by 128 pillars. At the lowest point of the valley, the Aqueduct stands at a height of 28.5 m above ground. The tall arches of the aqueduct bridge are a major tourist attraction.

User Reviews

Mike Caldwell (30 days ago)
Very impressive aqueduct, definitely worth a visit. Recommend staying one or two nights in Segovia as there is plenty to see here and the town is really nice. Also some good walks on the paths just outside the town next to the river.

Isabella Dicaprio (Isabella) (47 days ago)
Talking about history,,,, this is a fantastic city with wonderful historical treasures. Nice restaurants and international cuisine. I went during the pandemic season and I enjoyed it because there were not many tourists around.

Lex Universe (3 months ago)
probably the most famous and iconic landmark of Segovia, the Roman aqueduct. Being built almost two thousand years ago, it makes it one of the oldest structures in Spain preserved to this day. No wonder that it ended up on the UNESCO World Herritage List in 1985. It may seem strange to today's visitors that it has been built from granite blocks without using any mortar - it holds together only thanks to the brilliantly distributed weight. And it isn't even such a long defunct relic as it looks - it was bringing water to the town even some 100 years ago. Pretty cool, right?

Isabella Dicaprio (3 months ago)
Talking about history,,,, this is a fantastic city with wonderful historical treasures. Nice restaurants and international cuisine. I went during the pandemic season and I enjoyed it because there were not many tourists around.

Push (6 months ago)
The trip to the Aqueduct of Segovia was amazing. The history behind this magnificent piece of architecture was quite a fascinating read. The place is gorgeous and we enjoyed walking around this amazing place. These aqueducts is probably the most well preserved ancient monument in Europe. Its quite an exciting surreal feeling to see this in person. The snow capped mountains at the background look amazing as we well. A. must visit !

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Erik Christensen, Porkeri

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Kirkjubøargarður

Kirkjubøargarður ('Yard of Kirkjubøur', also known as King"s Farm) is one of the oldest still inhabited wooden houses of the world. The farm itself has always been the largest in the Faroe Islands. The old farmhouse dates back to the 11th century. It was the episcopal residence and seminary of the Diocese of the Faroe Islands, from about 1100. Sverre I of Norway (1151–1202), grew up here and went to the priest school. The legend says, that the wood for the block houses came as driftwood from Norway and was accurately bundled and numbered, just for being set up. Note, that there is no forest in the Faroes and wood is a very valuable material. Many such wood legends are thus to be found in Faroese history.

The oldest part is a so-called roykstova (reek parlour, or smoke room). Perhaps it was moved one day, because it does not fit to its foundation. Another ancient room is the loftstovan (loft room). It is supposed that Bishop Erlendur wrote the 'Sheep Letter' here in 1298. This is the earliest document of the Faroes we know today. It is the statute concerning sheep breeding on the Faroes. Today the room is the farm"s library. The stórastovan (large room) is from a much later date, being built in 1772.

Though the farmhouse is a museum, the 17th generation of the Patursson Family, which has occupied it since 1550, is still living here. Shortly after the Reformation in the Faroe Islands in 1538, all the real estate of the Catholic Church was seized by the King of Denmark. This was about half of the land in the Faroes, and since then called King"s Land (kongsjørð). The largest piece of King"s Land was the farm in Kirkjubøur due to the above-mentioned Episcopal residence. This land is today owned by the Faroese government, and the Paturssons are tenants from generation to generation. It is always the oldest son, who becomes King"s Farmer, and in contrast to the privately owned land, the King"s Land is never divided between the sons.

The farm holds sheep, cattle and some horses. It is possible to get a coffee here and buy fresh mutton and beef directly from the farmer. In the winter season there is also hare hunting for the locals. Groups can rent the roykstovan for festivities and will be served original Faroese cuisine.

Other famous buildings directly by the farmhouse are the Magnus Cathedral and the Saint Olav"s Church, which also date back to the mediaeval period. All three together represent the Faroe Island"s most interesting historical site.

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