The predominate sights were...
these roadside bulls, lots of wind turbines...
these roadside bulls, lots of wind turbines...
and miles and miles and miles of olive tree groves. Most of northern/central Spain is a red arid dirt, similar to what you'd see in the southwestern US. They grow olive trees by the hundreds of thousands (millions?) here. It was amazing.
Easter Sunday, we spent the morning touring Madrid and the afternoon at Segovia, a town just north of Madrid.
Iglesia de San Gerónimo in Madrid.
Easter mass at the church.
So we've been to mass at both Christmas and Easter, I think that practically makes us Catholic :)
Then we found another playground and let the boys have some fun.
Piper loves slides.
Next, we went to the Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid, or the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid.
There were beautiful flowers and trees, all labeled and laid out beautifully. I almost didn't get Kevin out of there!
After the botanical gardens, we headed over to the Jardines del Buen Retiro, or the Gardens of the Pleasant Retreat, Madrid's central park.
looking directly into the sun is never good - sorry guys!
Piper hanging out
CJ having fun
After running all over the park, the boys were tired so we walked back to the van, grabbed some lunch on the go and drove up to Segovia, about 1 1/2 hours north of Madrid.
View of Segovia from the road into town. In this picture you can see the Roman aqueduct, the Santa Iglesia Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción y de San Frutos, the main Cathedral of Segovia, and the Alcázar de Segovia, or Castle of Segovia.
The Roman aqueduct, built around 50BC, stands at the entrance to the old town of Segovia.
This elevated section is supported by an engineering marvel of 166 arches and 120 pillars in two levels. It is made of over 20,000 large, rough-hewn granite blocks, joined without mortar.
It was truly a spectacular engineering feat and was used until the late 1940's to transport water.
We headed into the old town to the Santa Iglesia Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción y de San Frutos, the Cathedral of Segovia, a marvel of 27 chapels, known as Europe's last great Gothic cathedral.
boys in front of the Cathedral of Segovia.
View of the main chapel in the cathedral.
Exterior view of the bell tower from the courtyard.
Next, we headed up to the Alcazar, or Castle of Segovia.
In the middle ages, the Castle of Segovia became one of the favorite residences of the monarchs of Castille.
View of the entrance and drawbridge.
In the late 1800's the building was restored and the castle was handed over to the Ministry of War to be used by the Artillery. The General Military Archives were then moved to the upper floor of the castle, where they remain today.
checking out the view
E in one of the armoury rooms.
In the Arms Courtyard.
Sunday was a long day and the boys were seriously tired by the time we returned to our rooms in Madrid. We are glad we made the effort to go up to Segovia as well, it was a great town with 3 major sites that were all well worth the drive!
Piper was happy with his balloon from dinner ;)
All tuckered out.
I had to take a picture with this sign. Some things just don't translate well...
More adventures from Spain and Portugal to follow!
View of Segovia from the road into town. In this picture you can see the Roman aqueduct, the Santa Iglesia Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción y de San Frutos, the main Cathedral of Segovia, and the Alcázar de Segovia, or Castle of Segovia.
The Roman aqueduct, built around 50BC, stands at the entrance to the old town of Segovia.
This elevated section is supported by an engineering marvel of 166 arches and 120 pillars in two levels. It is made of over 20,000 large, rough-hewn granite blocks, joined without mortar.
It was truly a spectacular engineering feat and was used until the late 1940's to transport water.
We headed into the old town to the Santa Iglesia Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción y de San Frutos, the Cathedral of Segovia, a marvel of 27 chapels, known as Europe's last great Gothic cathedral.
boys in front of the Cathedral of Segovia.
View of the main chapel in the cathedral.
Exterior view of the bell tower from the courtyard.
Next, we headed up to the Alcazar, or Castle of Segovia.
In the middle ages, the Castle of Segovia became one of the favorite residences of the monarchs of Castille.
View of the entrance and drawbridge.
In the late 1800's the building was restored and the castle was handed over to the Ministry of War to be used by the Artillery. The General Military Archives were then moved to the upper floor of the castle, where they remain today.
I don't know why I often fail to take a square/level picture, but this one is seriously off! I thought the stain glass was too good to pass up, though.
checking out the view
outer wall and fortifications
E in one of the armoury rooms.
In the Arms Courtyard.
Sunday was a long day and the boys were seriously tired by the time we returned to our rooms in Madrid. We are glad we made the effort to go up to Segovia as well, it was a great town with 3 major sites that were all well worth the drive!
Piper was happy with his balloon from dinner ;)
All tuckered out.
I had to take a picture with this sign. Some things just don't translate well...
More adventures from Spain and Portugal to follow!
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