DAY 10: Segovia - Madrid

We left Madrid in the morning for a day trip to Segovia. Our first stop was the magnificent Roman Aqueduct, a true marvel that has stood tall for nearly two thousand years. From there, we wandered through the quaint old town, its cobbled streets lined with cozy cafés and shops that seem frozen in time.

Built sometime around the 1st or early 2nd century AD, this ancient giant once carried fresh water from the mountains more than 15 km away, channeling it straight into the city.

What amazed me most was learning that the entire structure—nearly 20,000 granite blocks—was built without any mortar at all. No cement, no binding material, nothing. Just Roman precision, perfect balance, and engineering that still makes modern architects scratch their heads.

The most photographed part is the stretch over Plaza del Azoguejo, where the aqueduct soars almost 29 meters high with its colossal double row of arches. Standing beneath it, you really feel how tiny you are next to something that has survived almost two millennia of weather, wars, and whatever life threw at Segovia.

Even the catastrophic 1755 earthquake, which shattered buildings across Spain and nearly destroyed Lisbon, failed to dislodge the aqueduct.

It’s one of those places where you stop, look up, and think:

How on earth did they build this… and how is it still here?

Just a short walk from the aqueduct, I spotted something I didn’t expect in Spain: the she-wolf nursing the twins, Romulus and Remus. If you remember your school history lessons, this is the founding myth of Ancient Rome—the abandoned twins rescued and suckled by a wolf before growing up to establish the city.

Segovia has its own bronze statue of the Capitoline Wolf, a gift from Rome in the 20th century to honor the city’s Roman roots. It’s a little reminder that Segovia wasn’t just sprinkled with Roman influence—the Romans built, lived, ruled, and left their mark so deeply that even today their symbols still stand proudly in the city.

So after admiring the aqueduct, don’t miss the wolf and her famous twins. It’s like a small history lesson tucked quietly into a Spanish street corner.

Plaza de Medina del Campo

Catedral de Segovia

Esgrafiado

The textured surfaces on many buildings in Segovia are called esgrafiado, a traditional Spanish plaster technique where layers are applied and then carved or scraped to reveal contrasting colors and intricate geometric or floral patterns. Originally popular during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, it added elegance, indicated social status, and even helped with insulation. You can spot it on numerous historic façades throughout Segovia, especially near the Cathedral and Jewish Quarter, giving the city its distinctive, quilted allure.

This is exactly why I love going on guided tours — it’s these little architectural details and hidden stories that I would otherwise walk right past without even noticing.

Alcázar of Segovia, a medieval fortress said to be the inspiration of Snow White's castle

Countryside view from Plaza de la Reina Victoria Eugenia

Lunch at Meson de Candido 

In Segovia, meals are a celebration of tradition — and a little bit of fun! We started with Judiones de La Granja, a hearty bean stew made with giant, creamy white beans from nearby La Granja de San Ildefonso, simmered with chorizo, pork, and warming spices.

Next came the star of the show: Cochinillo Asado, roast suckling pig so tender the chef slices it with a plate instead of a knife. And just for luck, that same plate gets smashed — a playful ritual to ward off bad fortune! 🐷💥

To finish, we indulged in Ponche Segoviano, Segovia’s iconic dessert. Layers of soft sponge soaked in syrup, rich cream, and smooth marzipan on top — sweet, decadent, and the perfect ending to a meal that’s all about flavor, tradition, and a little local magic.

         

Part of the itinerary had us heading to Las Rozas Village, but given a choice, I’d much rather shop at a local mall. The outlet itself was festively decked out for the Day of the Dead, with colorful skulls, marigold decorations, and festive displays adding a cheerful pop to the elegant streets — a fun contrast to the quiet, historic charm of Segovia earlier in the day. 

Not being fans of designer brands, we soon strayed off to the nearby Heron City, where we indulged in a very early cozy dinner of comforting pasta and cheesy pizza at Vezzo.

Can’t believe I’m actually in Spain, enjoying a Llao Llao froyo — the very country where it all started! Topped it with Dubai chocolate, a flavor we can’t get back home in Malaysia, and every bite felt extra special 😋.

A sweet little ending to a day filled with history, good food, and small surprises.