The fortress stands on a rocky crag at the western end of Segovia's Old City, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985,[1] above the confluence of the rivers Eresma and Clamores.

Furthermore, the luxury and opulence of its interior, with lavishly decorated rooms and coffered ceilings, were designed to awe and subdue visitors, reinforcing the authority of the kings of Castile.

Many princes, nobles, and infants have grown up within its halls, and their presence has helped soften the palace's appearance, making the castle a home for many.

The Alcázar has been the stage for crucial events in Spain's history, such as meetings of the Cortes of Castile, held there on multiple occasions; the signing of the Concord of Segovia, which laid the groundwork for the formation of the Spanish nation, took place there; Isabel the Catholic, one of the most significant and influential women in history, left the Alcázar to proclaim herself queen of Castile.

The Alcázar of Segovia, like many fortifications in Spain, started off as a Roman castrum,[1] but apart from the foundations, little of the original structure remains.

The first reference to this castle was in 1120, around 32 years after the city of Segovia was conquered by the Christians (during the Reconquista when King Alfonso VI reconquered lands to the south of the Duero river, down to Toledo and beyond).

[4] It is not known what the shape and form of the Alcázar was before the reign of King Alfonso VIII (1155–1214), however early documentation mentioned a wooden stockade fence.

Alfonso VIII and his wife, Eleanor of England (sister of Richard the Lionheart), made this alcázar their principal residence and much work was carried out to erect the beginnings of the stone fortification we see today.

[citation needed] The Castilian Crown maintained multiple artillery units, strategically stationed in royal fortresses, including the Alcázar of Segovia.

In 1465, Pascual de Medrano served as an artilleryman at the Royal Alcázar of Segovia, receiving a salary of 5,000 maravedís for upkeep and 8,550 for provisions.

[citation needed] In 1587, architect Francisco de Mora completed the main garden and the School of Honor areas of the castle.

Prince Charles gave the Count of Chinchón a jewel and rewarded the poet Don Juan de Torres for his verses.

He appointed Count Félix Gazzola as the director of the artillery corps, who made the executive decision to install the academy in the Segovian fortress in the Alcázar.

[4] A triumphal arch, located on the corner of the south-east part of the palace, just beyond the moat, was likely ornamented with heraldic devices and served as a grand entrance to the alcázar.

The style is notably recognized as Spanish Gothic architecture, with influences from Islamic art, such as a horseshoe arch found during renovations in the souther-side of the tower.

Many apartments are decorated with delicate traceries and pendant ornaments, in the style of the Alhambra, and, like those of the Alcázar of Seville, were executed by Arabian workmen during the Christian dominion of the fourteenth century, for in many places the crowns of the kings of Castille may be seen, surrounded by Latin mottoes [sic] and extracts from the Koran.Its construction corresponds to the reign of Alfonso VIII of Castile.

Often these rooms were used for different types of political ceremonies, including the receiving of foreign embassies, banquets, musical performances, and literary events.

The rooms could be decorated with different types of objects, like tableware and textiles (including tapestries) that allowed for the space to be transformed to suit the particular event.

[4] The frieze is made of Mudéjar plaster with a double inscription: the upper one includes a prayer related to the Eucharist and the lower one offers information about the work displayed in the hall.

[12] King Henry IV's decision to incorporate a gallery that depicted various rulers of Castile and León, in seated positions, into the hall's decoration was designed to demonstrate the political legitimacy of those in power during 15th century Spain.

[12] Whoever is illustrated in the imagery in the Alcázar of Segovia's Hall of Kings, the message concerns the representation of political power, dominance, and legitimacy.

[12] Philip II of Spain (r. 1580–1598) commissioned Hernando de Ávila to design one of the statues that represented the kings of Asturias, León and Castile.

[citation needed] The chapel at the Alcázar of Segovia houses Adoration of the Magi (c. 1600) by Italian painter, architect, and sculpture Bartolomeo Carducci.

One of the most famous events at the Alcázar was the wedding of Philip II of Spain with his niece, Anna of Austria in 1570, which took place in the castle's chapel.