Segovia
AA-2026-1113D4
On the image
A woman frames her shot at a Spanish castle in the 1970s, attempting to capture a thousand years of history onto a small, rectangular piece of film. These attempts were rarely successful, but the act itself provided sufficient proof of attendance.
Behind her, another traveler, sporting the era's fashionable oversized sunglasses, maintains a vigilant watch, possibly ensuring no historical facts escaped their designated memory storage. Nearby, a man also points his camera, participating in the collective ritual of documenting having been somewhere important.
The Alcázar of Segovia, having survived centuries of siege and royal intrigue, now patiently endures the modern-day assault of amateur photographers, its grandeur providing a picturesque backdrop for vacation slides that would mostly gather dust in carousels. Its continued existence validates the efforts of countless tourists who were there for the selfies, before selfies were invented.
The historian's note
This photograph depicts the Alcázar of Segovia, a medieval fortress located in Segovia, Spain. Known for its distinctive ship-like prow shape, it is one of Spain's most iconic castles, originally built as a fortress but serving variously as a royal palace, state prison, Royal Artillery College, and military academy.
In the 1970s, Spain was experiencing a significant increase in international tourism, particularly after the decline of the Franco regime and the country's gradual opening up. Historic sites like the Alcázar became popular destinations for travelers seeking cultural and architectural experiences.
The Alcázar's unique architecture, including its many turrets and slate roofs, is said to have influenced Walt Disney's Cinderella Castle. Its history spans from Roman foundations through Moorish occupation and into the Christian kingdoms of Spain, making it a prominent symbol of Spanish heritage.
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Alcázar of Segovia, Spain, Tourists, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-1113D4. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/alc-zar-of-segovia-spain-tourists-1970s.
@misc{aaAA20261113D4,
title = {Alcázar of Segovia, Spain, Tourists, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-1113D4},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/alc-zar-of-segovia-spain-tourists-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Alcázar of Segovia, Spain, Tourists, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-1113D4 UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/alc-zar-of-segovia-spain-tourists-1970s ER -
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