Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

El Escorial is a small town located 45 km away from Madrid in the slopes of Sierra de Guadarrama. The town can be reached by buss or trains Cercanias from Atocha.

The grand monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is undoubtedly one of the most majestic and significant buildings in the history of Spain. This religious and widely ambitious project of the monarch king Phillip II is designed and built in Herreran style, also known as Castilian Baroque.

The monastery complex is a harmonious ensemble designed by Juan Bautista de Toledo and Juan de Herrera.

And overlooks the mountains around Madrid.

The construction of the complex took two decades (1563-1574) and was considered by Phillip as an mausoleum and in the tomb, Panteon de los Reyes, located right below the main altar, are the tombs of all (except of two) Spanish monarchs. 

The monument also commemorates the victory in the battle of Saint Quentin, the feast day of St. Lorenzo.

Following some of the hidden underground passages we access the tomb of the infants. The complex is also impressive by its library, one of the best in Europe, offering over 50 000 precious books.

 

The main building of the complex is the Basilica, which has 45 altars and is one of the most impressive we have ever seen.

The main galleries are located around the apartment of Phillip and the room with the small bed where he died. A small window from here is overlooking the altar of the Basilica. In such a way the king could attend all messes without living his room.

Phillip II apartment.

The huge halls and corridors are decorated with paintings from Bosch, Velazquez, Ribera, Tiziano.

 

El Greco Masterpiece Adoration of the name of Jesus.
The Princes House with its charming garden.

The impressive park surrounds the monastery.

We visited El Escorial around Christmas and were impressed by the figures in the city center representing a typical town during the time Jesus was born.

 
What a magnificent and breathtaking monastery, what a quiet and peaceful town, just a gorgeous place to spend an absolutely spectacular day.