Located in Spain’s central Castile and León region, roughly an hour’s drive northwest of Madrid, the historical city of Segovia is blessed with a handful of architectural marvels. The phrase “fairytale-like” gets thrown around a lot—but in this case, it’s a fitting epitaph for the 12th-century Alcazar of Segovia. alcazar of segovia It’s so picture-perfect, the Alcazar is said to have inspired the design of not one but two iconic castles in pop culture: The Queen’s castle in Snow White, and Cinderella’s castle. Variously used as a royal palace, a prison, and an academy, the Alcazar takes its name from the Moorish word for castle or fortress. The halls and chambers are just as exquisite as the exterior—I love the stained glass and incredibly intricate ceilings. Take your time when visiting the pretty interior courtyards strung with ivy, and make sure you climb the Tower of Juan for wonderful views of Segovia and its Roman aqueduct. By Emily Lush from Wander-Lush - https://wander-lush.org/