The Segovia Cathedral

After our Sunday morning tour just outside of town, we came back to town, had lunch, and wandered around Segovia more.  The narrow streets, alleys, and beauty around every corner was worth walking around on our own.

We ended up going into the Cathedral (which shouldn’t be surprising to our loyal readers).  It’s the last major Gothic building, but as it was built from 1525 to 1768, it combines elements of Gothic, Flamboyant Gothic, and Renaissance.  

(Yup, I’ve never heard of Flamboyant Gothic either, but apparently it was final stages of Gothic, and a bit over the top.)

The exterior is something else, frilly cones, inspired spires, and a dome.  The interior is relatively simple.  The side chapels are mostly gated and locked, which means they were privately owned by wealthy families and guilds.  What do you get with owning a private chapel?  Your own masses, your names said in blessings, and a burial spot close to the altar.

The cloister features a guilded chapter room decorated with Flemish tapestries.  Beyond that, there’s not much to report.

It's never bad to start with a rose window.

Great coat of arms, with a bonus cherub.

The Tree of Life, as the Grim

Reaper prepares to chop

the hedonistic mortals into

hell.  Jesus rings a bell to

wake them up in time.

St. James, getting ready

to hike the Camino.

And the other side of St. James, as

here he is slaying Moors to turn

the tide in the battle of Clavijo.

The slightly underwhelming cloister.

Here, Pee-Wee Herman prays

after going to the movies.

Lion in the Cathedral courtyard.

The tongue sticking out

is a nice touch.

It's never bad to end with a rose window.