Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Roman Aqueduct in Segovia, Spain

 

This blog is called Walking Arizona because I have spent a large part of my life walking. Segovia is a walking city. It is very difficult to drive anywhere in the city, but it is easy to walk. We are getting older and walking, along with everything else involving physical activity is getting more difficult. I suppose that some day, I will be left with only the memories of places such as this one. 

Saturday, January 21, 2023

A Path in the Desert

 


Taking a break from the winter snow of Utah Valley, we visited the Gilbert Water Ranch in Arizona. The large water basins are surrounded by lovely walking trails. It was a lovely day with almost perfect weather. Some of the trees in the desert do lose their leaves but most of the plants do not. 

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Coca Castle, Coca, Spain

 

Most of the world probably thinks of Disney's version of a castle when they even think about one. Here we have a real castle with a moat and all the trimmings. This is what I think of when I think of a castle. The castle was constructed in the 15th century and has been considered to be one of the best examples of Spanish Mudejar brickwork which incorporates Moorish Muslim design and construction with Gothic architecture. By the way, here is what Chat.OpenAI.com had to say about the castle.

Coca Castle is a castle located in the town of Coca, in the province of Segovia, Spain. It is a well-known example of the fusion of Moorish and Gothic architectural styles.

The castle was originally built in the 11th century by the Moorish ruler Almanzor as a military fortress to protect the region from Christian invaders. It was later expanded and renovated by the Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella in the 15th century, adding Gothic elements such as pointed arches and ribbed vaults.

As a result, Coca Castle is an interesting blend of both Moorish and Gothic architectural styles. The castle's exterior features the sturdy, fortified walls and towers characteristic of a military fortress, while the interior includes Gothic details such as pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and decorative plasterwork.

Today, Coca Castle is a popular tourist attraction, offering visitors the chance to explore its history and architecture, as well as to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. It is also a popular venue for cultural events and celebrations.

Is this better or worse than quoting Wikipedia? 

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Una Calle Estrecha


 Una calle estrecha is a narrow street. This narrow street happens to be in Segovia, Spain. Sometimes I walk a lot further abroad than just Arizona and Utah. Unless the world settles down quite a bit, we will probably spend most of our time walking around Arizona and Utah from now on.