Zeke Lloyd ’24 is studying abroad as part of a two-block course taking place in Soria, Spain. Roughly 40 students from ڰ 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 ڰ travels to Spain for this two-block experience. It was the first time it could be done since 2019.
