Zeke Lloyd ’24 is studying abroad as part of a two-block course taking place in Soria, Spain. Roughly 40 students from Colorado College are part of the program, all staying with host families. Outside of classes in Spanish, students are taking frequent excursions to important historical sites, world-renown museums, and major cities around Spain. Zeke is sharing his experience through stories and images throughout the summer.
Segovia is a time capsule. During our visit, each hour took us a little further back into Spanish history. The journey began at the Royal Crystal Factory of La Granja. Though no longer an operational glass factory, it remains filled with early glass-making machines and glass art from around the world. A few artisans work inside the musum, and we had the opportunity to watch a glassblower create an ornate vase.
Then we waded a little deeper into the past. The Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, an 18th century palace that was once the summer home of Spanish monarchs, is now a museum filled with tapestries, paintings, and sculptures.
A few hours later, we stood in front of the Alcázar de Segovia, a fortress built roughly 700 years before the palace. Alcázar is a Spanish word derived from the Arabic term for castle, and the edifice certainly lived up to its namesake. Built beside a steep cliff and surrounded by tall ramparts, it is believed that defenders would release bears into the moat when under attack.
Finally, with one last 1,000-year leap, we found ourselves at the Aqueduct of Segovia. The enormous stone structure was constructed by the Romans nearly two millennia ago. It was here where we took a group photo. A photo is taken in this place every year that a group from CC travels to Spain for this two-block experience. It was the first time it could be done since 2019.