Spain is a country full of beautiful architecture. The buildings were clearly not just built for utility; they are also works of art. Some of the most amazing buildings I have ever seen in my life have been Spanish palaces. One of my favorite sights in Spain so far is the royal palace in Segovia, which houses the Queen of Spain during the holidays.
The royal palace of Segovia is everything you’d expect out of a palace- it is ginormous, beautiful, and is surrounded by a maze of well-kept hedges, fountains, and hundreds of sculptures.
After drinking in the palace and its grounds, we headed to a more commercial section of Segovia. In the middle of the metro station, restaurants, and shops stood giant stone aqueducts. The impressive stone structures took some very skilled architects and workers to create, as it is built entirely out of stone…meaning there is nothing in between the stones. It is literally just giant rock stacked on giant rock stacked on giant rock.
After drinking in the palace and its grounds, we headed to a more commercial section of Segovia. In the middle of the metro station, restaurants, and shops stood giant stone aqueducts. The impressive stone structures took some very skilled architects and workers to create, as it is built entirely out of stone…meaning there is nothing in between the stones. It is literally just giant rock stacked on giant rock stacked on giant rock.
On the drive back to Madrid I took some time to reflect on the city of Segovia and the amazing buildings I saw. I certainly enjoyed seeing the palace, sculptures, fountains, and aqueducts, but I also wonder about the people who built them. I wonder if they were treated with respect, if they were able to provide for their families, and what their quality of life was like.
In some ways the palace reminded me of the magnificent mansions that extremely wealthy Americans live in. These modern day palaces are often equipped with extravagant swimming pools, tennis courts, movie theaters, and more bathrooms than the owners know what to do with.
The owners of these mansions live like modern day kings and queens. But the majority of Americans do not. Recently, the wealthiest 1% of US citizens passed the bottom 90% in total wealth owned.
Seeing the stunning palace, grounds, and aqueducts is an experience I will always cherish. And I certainly would not turn down the opportunity to attend a lavish pool party in the States. But I often wonder if money could be better used if it was spread out a bit more equally.
In some ways the palace reminded me of the magnificent mansions that extremely wealthy Americans live in. These modern day palaces are often equipped with extravagant swimming pools, tennis courts, movie theaters, and more bathrooms than the owners know what to do with.
The owners of these mansions live like modern day kings and queens. But the majority of Americans do not. Recently, the wealthiest 1% of US citizens passed the bottom 90% in total wealth owned.
Seeing the stunning palace, grounds, and aqueducts is an experience I will always cherish. And I certainly would not turn down the opportunity to attend a lavish pool party in the States. But I often wonder if money could be better used if it was spread out a bit more equally.