Real Alcázar de Segovia

About the museum

The Alcázar of Segovia rises on a rocky outcrop at the confluence of the Eresma and Clamores rivers. A fortification may already have existed in Roman times; documents mention it with certainty around 1120–1139. In the 15th century, under Juan II and Enrique IV, it became one of the great political and cultural centres of Castile. Isabella the Catholic left its halls to be proclaimed queen on 13 December 1474, and in 1570 the nuptial Mass (misa de velaciones) of Philip II and Anne of Austria was celebrated in its chapel. For centuries it was also a royal residence and a state prison.

In 1762 the Royal Artillery College was founded; it was installed in the Alcázar on 16 May 1764, in the reign of Charles III, and trained the officers of the Spanish army’s artillery. In 1898 the General Military Archive was housed in the building. A fire on 6 March 1862 destroyed much of the interior and many of its treasures. On 18 January 1951 a decree created the Patronato del Alcázar (Alcázar Board), which manages the monument and keeps it open to the public.

The visit covers the Palace of the Kings of Castile, with rooms such as the Hall of Kings (Sala de Reyes), the Throne Room (Sala del Trono) with its coffered ceiling and the Sala de la Galera, and the Museum of the Royal Artillery College, with cannons, armour and other military objects. Visitors who wish can also climb the Torre de Juan II, from which the old town of Segovia, a World Heritage Site, can be seen.

Highlights

• Hall of Kings and Throne Room with its coffered ceiling
• Museum of the Royal Artillery College with cannons and armour
• Torre de Juan II with views over the old town (152 steps)
• Patio de Armas and Casa de la Química
• Fortress at the confluence of the Eresma and Clamores rivers

Permanent exhibitions

• Palacio de los Reyes de Castilla – Rooms that for centuries housed the Castilian court, such as the Hall of Kings, the Throne Room and the Sala de la Galera.
• Museo del Real Colegio de Artillería – A route through the history of the Royal Artillery College, installed in the Alcázar since 1764, with cannons, armour and other military objects.

Founded

1951

Operated by

Patronato del Real Alcázar de Segovia

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Tuesdays 14:00–16:00 (Palace + Museum), except national, regional or local public holidays; only for citizens of the European Union who buy their individual ticket at the ticket office during that slot and subject to capacity.

Palace + Museum rates: general €7, reduced €5, special €1. With the Torre de Juan II: general €10, reduced €8, special €2. Free admission for children under 6 and for people with a disability of 65% or more. It is advisable to buy tickets in advance from the official online sales point, especially at weekends, on bridge holidays (puentes) and public holidays, as tickets including the tower visit often sell out.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Palace and the Artillery Museum are accessible by ramps. The Torre de Juan II is not accessible for people with reduced mobility (152 spiral steps). Two wheelchairs can be requested free of charge from staff at the access control. The adapted toilet is in the Casa de la Química, opposite the ticket office. In the Plazuela del Alcázar there are two municipal parking spaces for people with reduced mobility (regulated rate). Only guide dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

All toilets have baby-changing facilities. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Getting there & parking

Segovia is about 80 km from Madrid, an hour by car. The high-speed train between Madrid-Chamartín and Segovia-Guiomar takes less than 30 minutes, and the bus station is about five minutes’ walk from the Aqueduct. The old town has narrow streets with restricted access, so it is advisable to leave the car early.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available
• Lockers: not available

The shop opens every day and is reached from the Patio de Armas or from the rooms of the Artillery Museum. The visitor map marks a café next to the ticket office. There is no cloakroom or lockers. Information point in the Patio de Armas.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit