The cuisine of a country is an authentic look into their food and what they produce. According to Wild in his article Eating Spain: National Cuisine since 1990, Spain located in the middle of Europe has influences from all over the world. Spain’s cuisine is a mixture of all different countries cuisine which is what makes Spain’s gastronomy so unique. Spain is split into different regions which consist of different cuisine. Looking further into the middle part of Spain there is the city Segovia. Segovia is known for its Aqueduct that brings in many people for that attraction but also its Jewish influence. It has beautiful architecture from the buildings to the church. As a tourist this brings in the question of what the cuisine is like in Segovia.  According to Wild, there are elements to the Spanish cuisine that appeal to tourists, “Dominated by heavy flavors of olive oil, garlic and saffron, the Spanish flavor palate would have been accessible to most European tourists.” Tourists are attracted to what they like but also want to try new food, which is perfect for those that try the Segovia cuisine.

Let’s begin with protein, a stable in everyone’s diet. Segovia’s most popular meals all include protein as a main component, which appeals to many. The popular choice in Segovia is pork products but also include sausage, lamb, and fish. One of Segovia’s allures is their dish called Cochinillo. This dish is also known as Roasted Sucking Pig which is a piglet that is cooked and served to eat. The perfect Cochinillo should have soft and tender meat with crispy skin on the outside. This dish is usually served whole and on its own because of the impact of the flavor. Cochinillo is one of Segovia’s well-known dishes that is claimed to be delicious and should be tried. Next is the Lamb which is also called Cordero Asado. This dish has many similarities to Cochinillo but differs in the meat. Cordero Asado is roasted lamb with a tender soft inside and a crispy outside. This dish is either served as suckling lamb or lamb legs. Mostly this dish is served alone but sometimes can be served with sides that include a type of potato or salad. If you are missing the sea and want some seafood, Segovia serves delicious trout. The trout is accompanied by ham cooked inside it and potatoes on the side.

Another staple of Segovia is their stews and soups. If you are looking for a meal that is authentic to Segovia, then Judiones de la Granja stew answers the call. Judiones de la Granja are locally grown farm beans. These beans can be found in other recipes but are mostly found in their stews. Judiones de la Granja stew is a meal that includes beans, chorizo, and sausage. Another soup to try is Sopa Castellana with ham being one of the main ingredients.

Segovia also serves locally produced wine that would pair well with the dishes above.

If you have a sweet tooth, I have the desserts for you. Segovia has great options for dessert. Known for its sweetness is the sponge cake Ponche Segoviano. This cream-filled cake with almond flavoring is a staple in Segovia and has a lot of history behind it too. Another dessert to try is Florones, a puff pastry, which is a Segovia tradition. Per tradition locals eat them on October 25^th to honor Saint Frutos.

If you are looking for a cuisine that appeals to many taste buds and ages this is the perfect place. Segovia has plenty of options for meals. With their wide variety of meats, stews, beans, wine, and desserts there is an array of choices for everyone. While highlighting some of the most popular dishes in Segovia there are plenty of other meals to try in Segovia as well.

Further Information

Wild, Matthew J., “Eating Spain: National Cuisine Since 1900” (2015). Theses and Dissertations–Hispanic Studies. 24. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hisp_etds/24

https://www.deliartfoods.com/segovia-spain-what-to-see-do-and-eat-on-vacation/

https://www.spain.info/en/route/segovia-one-day/

https://bake-street.com/en/ponche-segoviano-traditional-cake/

https://iberinbound.com/destination/dishes-of-segovia/

What to eat in Segovia, Spain? The 10 most famous foods and specialties you must try

Get to know Segovia the City:

The Encyclopedia Britannica is a great place to start research or if you are looking for a general information. Explore Segovia’s history such as the rich textile industry, how Alfonso X and many other monarchs once lived in the Palace of Alcazar, the beautiful buildings and features such as the Roman Aqueduct and the Cathedral.

Also, there is Spain.info, the official Spanish tourism website. Which includes detailed notes on of the key each location throughout the city, transportation, and how to make the most of your trip no matter the length. With such great resources in hand and the elegant structures to see, why not create a detailed plan to visit Segovia in your upcoming study abroad trip? Being prepared will not only help you assure you see all the sights, but also explore other cultures, histories, and foods! Make your once in a lifetime opportunity extra special, it will keep you in love with traveling and of Spain.

Notable Key Figure:

Segovia was and is home to many important figures Such as Arsenio-Martinez-Campos, a primer minister of Spain who also served a Captain-General in Cuba. He was known for fighting in many battles such as the Spanish-American War, in Africa, Cuba, and in Spain, where he helped restore the monarchy. Many sources of exists of his life and legacy such as:

Earl R. Beck’s The Martínez Campos Government of 1879: Spain’s Last Chance in Cuba

Explore Martínez Campos’ efforts to maintain Cuba as one of the last of the colonies to declare independence. As he tried to create reforms to further enhance the government, politics, and the economy, even when such reforms were unpopular with the Liberal Conservative Party. While Campos’s vision was not implemented, he showcases the importance of having different strategies to approaching different issues. Read more to see just how important figures play an important role in history, while also expanding upon your knowledge of the scholarship and histography of Spanish history and culture.

Beck, Earl R. “The Martínez Campos Government of 1879: Spain’s Last Chance in Cuba.” The Hispanic American Historical Review 56, no. 2 (1976): 268–89. https://doi.org/10.2307/2514327.

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Arsenio Martínez Campos." Encyclopedia Britannica, September 19, 2023. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Arsenio-Martinez-Campos.

Rodriguez, V.. "Segovia." Encyclopedia Britannica, September 30, 2015. https://www.britannica.com/place/Segovia-province-Spain

Wikimedia Commons contributors, "File:General Arsenio Martínez Campos (1831-1900).jpg," Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:General_Arsenio_Mart%C3%ADnez_Campos_(1831-1900).jpg&oldid=709547513 (accessed November 19, 2023).

Located beneath the Cathedral of Segovia, the Museum of Segovia has everything you would want in examining Spain’s unique history through art.  Across three stories, the museum is home to seven permeant exhibits including: “Segovia in time. The Roots of History,” “The Late Middle Ages: Church, Nobility and Common People,” and “The Bourbons and the Enlightenment to the 20th Century.” Including paleolithic artifacts to the present day, these unique stories being presence to less discussed in of history, creating a fuller understanding of the periods. If you are student and love history, art, and culture, then the museum of Segovia is a great opportunity to build upon your interests. Not only is it free, but it is also home to Zuloaga Museum Ignacio Zuloaga, the renowned painter, was known for his highly detailed landscapes, many of which captured the essence of Segovia and many key locations. Such as the Roman Aqueduct in “Aqueduct and San Justo:”

Art is important in two main respects: it tells a story of when it was written, and it inspires us today as we continue to explore the countless possibilities of the artist’s intention and our own interpretations. The wonder of art and history allows us to see through a window of time, as every culture is different, there is so much to learn and explore. This undoubtedly true when visiting the Musuem of Segovia, such art pieces has inspired many for centuries, just as it does today. The opportunity to travel abroad is chance to examine such treasures for yourself and see firsthand the history of Spain through the testaments of time.

León, Junta de Castilla y. “Museo de Segovia.” Museos Castilla y León. Accessed November 19, 2023.    https://museoscastillayleon.jcyl.es/web/es/museosegovia/museo-segovia.html.